§ 17. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the Report upon the alleged rebel ion of the Masai and the punishment and fines inflicted upon them was promised in July, 1923, and that repeated requests have been made by the successive Secretaries of State for the Colonies for this Report, without avail, he will say what steps he proposes to take to obtain this Report; and whether, when received, it will be laid upon the Table of the House?
§ Major HENNESSYMy right hon. Friend received information from the Government of Kenya on this subject some months ago. The delay in beginning the work of the Committee was due to the inability of various members to attend and partly to the visit of the East Africa Commission. The first sitting was held on the 6th December, 1924. By that time the position with regard to the past disturbances had entirely changed. The Masai had been assured by the Government that no further action would be taken and no more prosecutions instituted. They on their side had undertaken that there would be no further disturbances, and a large number of Masai who had been convicted of unlawful assembly were, in consequence, released. It was necessary that the Committee should be careful not to create in the minds of the Masai a feeling of insecurity which could only have the worst effects and would also be certain to deter witnesses from coming forward to give evidence. Consequently, the Governor decided not to institute any 604 further inquiry into the events of the past, but only to consider measures for the future, and arty existing grievances which might be brought to light. In this matter my right hon. Friend considers that the Governor, the late Sir Robert Coryndon, exercised his discretion wisely. My right hon. Friend has not yet received the final report of the Committee, but the information which he has received as to its proceedings indicates that the relations of the Masai to the Government, and of the elders and young men to each other, are better than for a long time past, and that the tribe generally is enjoying a period of peace and prosperity which it has not hitherto experienced. When the Secretary of State receives the Report he will consider in what way it can most convenient be brought to the knowledge of the House.