§ 7. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the proposal for federation in East Africa under the auspices of Kenya, he will state what was the number of European male settlers in Kenya and what was the number of persons employed by the Government in Kenya at the date of the Kenya census of 1921 and of 1926, respectively?
§ Mr. AMERYI do not know on what grounds the right hon. and gallant Member suggests that there is any proposal for federation in East Africa under the auspices of Kenya. The figures which I have for the 1926 census, in advance of the final Report, are not exactly comparable with the 1921 figures; but if "British in Government. service" may be taken to correspond with "European males in Government service," the particulars desired are as follow:
European male adults not in Government service, 3,763 in 1921, 4,403 in 1926, of whom 1,802 in 1921, and 2,199 in 1926, 657 were settlers and farmers. In Government service, 973 in 1921, and 1,266 in 1926.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCould the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether this question of federating the East African Crown Colonies is moving forward at the present time, and whether it is going to be a question of equality among the different States, or whether the headquarters will be in Kenya?
§ Mr. AMERYIt would be premature to go into any details. The question is, naturally, one which has long been under consideration. It would certainly be on the basis of equality among the constituent elements of the federation, if any federation were considered desirable.