§ 17. Mr. MORELasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the recent declarations of His Majesty's Government that the interests of the African population of Kenya must be regarded as paramount, he will take early steps to ensure that the inalienability of the existing native reserves shall be secured by law, and that the Native Affairs Department shall have a careful survey of the existing reserves made and reported upon in regard to their adequacy both for food growing and for the cultivation of economic products for export; and will he prohibit, meantime, any alienation of any further land whatever?
§ Mr. ORMSBY GOREThe importance of defining and proclaiming as soon as possible those native reserves which have not yet been proclaimed is fully realised by my Noble Friend the Secretary of State and the Governor, with whom also the important question of limiting the alienation of reserve land, even for services (such as grain mills) directly benefiting the natives, has also been discussed repeatedly. I will inquire later whether any legislation is necessary to strengthen the powers already possessed by the Governor in regard to native reserves. I have no reason to doubt that the reserves are large enough for the present requirements and probable future expansion of the tribes, but I will bring the hon. Member's suggestion of a survey to the notice of the Governor. I cannot, however, agree that no land whatever in the colony outside the reserves should be alienated until the survey is complete.