HC Deb 09 March 1925 vol 181 c903
11. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is prepared to give instructions that no further alienation of lands in Kenya Colony shall be permitted to white immigrants, without his prior sanction, until the Southborough Committee has submitted its Report?

Mr. AMERY

No, Sir. There have been few alienations of Crown land in the last two years, and I see no reason to forbid alienations until I am satisfied that it is necessary to do so. I would point out that land questions are outside the terms of reference of the Southborough Committee.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is it not the object of the Southborough Committee to deal with this question, and in view of the imminence of that Report will the right hon. Gentleman stop the rush for concessions before that Report is issued?

Mr. AMERY

I presume that the right hon. Gentleman refers to the Commission presided over by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore). There is no rush for the alienation of lands, nor has there been for two years.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Will the right hon. Gentleman prevent any alienation prior to the publication of the Report, so that advantage may not be taken of the inaction of the Government?

Mr. AMERY

There is no necessity for stopping a rush which does not exist.

Back to