§ 7 Mr. E. BROWNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he will now make any official statement as to the recent conflict with Somalis in the district of Nyeri, in Kenya Colony; and whether he has now definite information as to the casualties reported to be sustained;
(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the published appeals in Kenya Colony urging the Government to take strong and vigorous measures to remove the Somali from the area in which they have settled to some more distant area, and at the same time to teach the Somali the lesson that the Government must be obeyed; and whether he will see that no such action is taken until the cause of the recent disturbance has been inquired into by an impartial Commission?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Amery)I have received no report from the officer administering the Government of Kenya regarding the incident, nor as to the casualties sustained, but he has been asked by despatch for a full report. I am aware that the Press in Kenya, as in this country, is not backward in offering advice to the Government; but I see no reason to intervene, as it appears from the proceedings in the Legislative Council on the 18th May that full inquiry was being made by the Colonial Government.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be better if he sometimes took the advice of the Press?
§ Mr. AMERYI do not know if the hon. and gallant Gentleman, in this case, would take the advice of the Kenya Press.