§ 15. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, if the Islington Committee on Land Policy in Africa is not to sit and report, this House will have an opportunity of discussing the Report of the Land Tenure Commission of Kenya Colony before Government sanction is accorded to any of the proposals contained in it?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe views of the late Governor of Kenya on land policy have been received, but no decision has been taken by my right hon. Friend, or will be taken until he has also considered the report of the East Africa Commission which deals very fully with this matter. When this report is discussed in the House, the recommendations in the report of the local Commission of 1922 can also be discussed.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs there no chance of them seeking to compromise by converting these leaseholds into freeholds meanwhile, as recommended by the Report?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENone whatever. That requires legislation and none will be undertaken in any way until these various proposals have been considered.
§ Sir ROBERT HAMILTONCan the hon. Gentleman say when the Report is likely to be issued?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe Report of the African Commission is in print, and it is merely a question of proof corrections to get it out. I am arranging, if it is not actually published by the time the House rises for the. Easter Recess, to lay a copy in dummy in order that it can be issued as early as possible during the Recess.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it understood that the Report of this Commission deals with the land question as well as other questions, or will that be excluded from their purview?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt will not be excluded from their purview, and we are dealing with it very fully in all respects.