§ 44. Mr. RENNIE SMITHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much time per year the European colonists of Kenya will require to spend in compulsory military training?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question by the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on 15th July.
§ Mr. SMITHDoes the hon. Gentleman think the exclusive concentration of military power in the hands of a small minority of Europeans is calculated to improve our relations with Asiaties on the one hand and with the natives on the other, and why is it, after years of agitation that he has yielded to the principle of compulsion?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAs I said in my answer the other day, there is no question of concentration of military power. This is a Reserve Defence Force which may never be called out, but it is the wish of the people there that, as they have bad a voluntary Defence Force, they would like it to be compulsory. My right hon. Friend has agreed to that, it being the unanimous wish of all the elected members of the Legislature.
§ Mr. MACLEANIf all the people want training, why should it be compulsory? If they all want it, surely they will all volunteer.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI said all the elected representatives.
§ Mr. SMITHWhat does the hon. Gentleman mean when he uses the word "people"? Does that include Asiatics and natives?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo; this applies purely to Europeans.