HC Deb 14 April 1920 vol 127 cc1662-3
27. Mr. WATERSON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that persons holding Indian university medical and law degrees, such as L.M. and S. and B.A.B.L., who are eligible to practise medicine and law, respectively, in India, are not allowed to so practise in British East Africa; and, if so, will he state why in British East Africa, where the Protectorate was first established with the object of safeguarding the interests of His Majesty's Indian subjects in that country, where Indian law is to-day administered, and where Indians preponderate both in point of numbers and vested interests, the said Indian university medical and law degrees are not recognised?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Lieut.-Colonel Amery)

I explained to the hon. Member in my answer to his question on the 24th of March that Indian medical degrees or diplomas are recognised in the East Africa Protectorate, provided that they entitle the holder to registration in the United Kingdom. Advocates who have been admitted and are entitled to practise before one of the High Courts in British India are entitled to practise in the East African Courts.

The general question of the position of Indians in East Africa is under consideration between the Secretary of State and the Governor of the Protectorate.