19. Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the result of his communications with the Governor of British East Africa with regard to the trial of an 17 Italian at Nairobi, on 5th February last, on the charge of killing a native by kicking him in the stomach; and whether he is now prepared to consider a modification of the existing jury system in the case of capital charges in which racial feeling may be involved?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)I understand from the Governor that he is not yet in a position to furnish me with a report on the jury system pending the result of the personal inquiry which he is making. A despatch is now on its way to me which presumably will contain information as to the trial of the Italian.
Mr. HARVEYWill the right hon. Gentleman lay Papers with reference to the whole question when the right time arrives?
§ Mr. HARCOURTIf and when the right time arrives for the Papers to be laid they will be laid. I will consider the question.
Mr. HARVEYWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly inform me when he receives the Report as to the trial of the Italian, which has already been very long delayed?
§ Mr. HARCOURTYes.
20. Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the result of the sale of Government land by public auction at Nairobi on 7th April last, at which all the plots but two were bought by a single purchaser; whether many of these plots were sold less than an hour after at four times the price paid to the Government; and whether he proposes to substitute for this method of sale some system which will be more likely to meet the needs of small buyers who are prepared to settle upon farms themselves and do not merely buy to re-sell?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI have no information from the Governor as to the result of the sale to which my hon. friend refers. I have seen an account in the local papers which bear out his statements, but I may point out that the plots in question were offered for residential purposes in Nairobi, and were not farms.