§ 52. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether he has seen the resolution passed by the convention of Europeans in Kenya stating that if, through the ill-considered advice of His Majesty's Ministers, they are forced into action prejudicial to peace, then the responsibility will rest on His Majesty's Ministers; whether, seeing that this resolution is contrary to the relations which have hitherto existed between His Majesty's Ministers and Parliament on the one hand and settlers in Crown Colonies on the other, he will assure this House that no change in the established rights of this House will be made in response to threats from a body of settlers who constitute less than one-tenth per cent. of the population of the Crown Colony?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I have been asked to take this question. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has seen a Press report of the resolution referred to, but he has no confirmation of it. The only resolution reported to him officially is as follows:—
That this Convention gives His Excellency the Governor an assurance that it will do all in its power to discourage and prevent any direct action being taken by European community during the progress of the negotiations in England on Indian 32 question between His Excellency, the Convention Delegates and the Imperial Government provided that no attempt is made by the Imperial Government to force an issue during that period.In the opinion of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State it would be a mistake to allow any resolution of the kind referred to in the hon. and gallant Member's question to prejudice the attempt which the Secretary of State is making to achieve a settlement by agreement. Clearly a resolution of such a character could not affect the responsibility of His Majesty's Ministers to the Crown and to Parliament.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay we take it from that that the Secretary of State has received threats of direct action from the Colony and that direct action is being withheld pending these negotiations? Is that a position considered by the Government to be consonant with their self-respect?
§ 112 and 115. Sir THOMAS BENNETTasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what are the terms of settlement, confidentially laid by the Governor of Kenya before the European Convention and a large assembly of the ordinary public at Nairobi and whether, in the composition of the deputation which is to accompany the Governor to England in order to discuss details of a settlement with the Secretary of State, due care will be taken to ensure that all the interests concerned are represented;
(2) at what date the Governor of Kenya is expected to arrive in England to discuss questions connected with the status of Indians in that Colony; whether European and Indian delegates will accompany him; and whether any action will be taken with regard to the proposed restrictions on immigration, or amendment of the Constitution of the Colony, before the discussions in London take place?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe communication made by the Governor forms part of the attempt to attain by agreement a settlement of the various outstanding questions relating to the position of Indians in the Colony and, pending the Governor's arrival and the discussions which will follow, any statement as to the nature of the settlement proposed would, in my opinion, be prejudicial to the success of the negotiations. I understand 33 that the Governor will be accompanied by two representatives of the settler community and an unofficial member of the executive council who is closely in tour, with municipal questions. Probably one missionary will also come, and it is understood that the Indian leaders intend, if possible, to send one or two members. The Governor proposes to leave Kenya early in April and will arrive early in May. Pending the discussions it is not intended to take any action with regard to immigration or the amendment of the Constitution.