HC Deb 15 March 1926 vol 193 cc8-9
25. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the attendance of Government officials at the Settlers' Convention in Nairobi. Kenya Colony, there to be questioned and criticised upon the policy and work of Government Departments, with reporters and delegates present, is a contravention of C. O. Regulation, No. 45, which lays it down that no public officer, whether on duty or on leave of absence, is to allow himself to be interviewed on questions of public policy, he will instruct the Governor that the practice of allowing officials to be interviewed by the convention is to cease, and that settler bodies should be invited to obtain desired information as to Departmental activities by questions in legislative council by their elected members?

Mr. AMERY

I am not prepared to admit that, where the consent of the Governor has been obtained, it is a contravention of the Regulation mentioned for a Government official to discuss with or explain to an unofficial body matters in which they are interested; but there is certainly no obligation on an official to attend on such a body.

Sir ROBERT HAMILTON

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider it is detrimental to the esprit de corps of the Service, as well as, possibly, to the best interests of the Colony, that officials should be liable to be hauled over the coals by an unofficial body?

Mr. AMERY

It depends upon what happens. In a matter of that sort I think the Governor must be the best judge as to whom his officials should meet to discuss matters.

Sir R. HAMILTON

Is there any other Colony or Protectorate where a similar procedure is adopted?

Mr. AMERY

I should like to have notice of that, but I should think it is extremely probable.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

I would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not really consider that the proceedings in this last Convention, when the settlers passed a vote of censure on a Government official, do not justify the officials in universally adhering to the Regulations?

Mr. AMERY

As I explained in the previous answer, I have not seen the account of what happened on that occasion.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that Lord Delamere moved a vote of censure on the Commissioner?

Mr. AMERY

I have not had official information.