§ 55. Mr. THURTLEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the conscription of Akamba natives for work upon the Kenya Railway has given rise to domestic troubles amongst the natives; and whether he will consider the advisability of recommending that wives should be allowed to accompany their husbands when the latter are conscripted for labour on the railways in Kenya Colony?
§ Mr. AMERYThe hon. Member, apparently, has in mind the incident described, with its happy termination, on page 12 of the Paper, Cmd. 2573, but I may point out that in that case it was the unmarried girls who objected to the absence of the unmarried young men. I am not aware that, during the period of compulsory recruiting, wives have been prevented from accompanying their husbands, but in view of the short service, which must not exceed 60 days, it does not appear essential that they should do so, while their absence from the Reserve might seriously affect the cultivation of food crops.