§ 60. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it has been decided to submit to the Legislative Council of Kenya Colony an ordinance repealing the allocation of unclaimed balances of deceased native soldiers and to pay these balances to a native trust fund; whether he is aware that the proposed ordinance is being seriously criticised in the colony as a breach of faith likely to cause dissatisfaction amongst the natives and whether His Majesty's Government will consult the Chief Native Commissioner as to the advisability of postponing action for further consideration?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIn 1919 legislation was enacted in Kenya and Uganda providing, inter alia, that balances standing to the credit of native members of the East African Force should, if no valid 685 claim by the native or his personal representatives was made within three years, be applied to the benefit of the tribe to which that native had belonged. When this provision was brought to the notice of the Army Council, who were largely concerned, as the funds from which payment was due were largely Army funds, they were unable to agree to the arrangement, and it became necessary to direct the repeal of the provision, such unclaimed balances therefore falling to the credit of military funds. In consequence of protests received from the local authorities, and, in particular, from the ex-Director of Military Labour, now the Deputy Chief Native Commissioner. Kenya, the question was very fully discussed with the War Office and the Treasury. The discussion is not yet concluded.