HC Deb 25 June 1928 vol 219 cc3-5
7. Mr. WALTER BAKER

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures are envisaged, under Clause 7 of the Kenya Native Land Trust Bill, to ascertain the consent of the natives concerned where such consent is required before the leasing of areas in the native reserves to Europeans; the composition of the native councils to which reference is made in the first of the proposed amendments; and how far they are representative of the native population?

Mr. AMERY

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 21st June to the hon. Member for Fins-bury (Mr. Gillett).

Mr. BAKER

Was not the earlier reply to this request for information merely a statement that discussion was being temporarily postponed?

Mr. AMERY

Yes, but as the whole matter has been postponed for consideration, I could not very well answer the detailed points that the hon. Member has put.

16. Mr. WELLOCK

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total amount of land now in the possession of the white population of Kenya; the dates on which the principal transferences were made; the amount of land involved in each; and what proportion this forms of the total fertile land of Kenya?

Mr. AMERY

The areas of grants of land in Kenya registered in recent years are as follow:

Acres.
1923 404,267
1924 364,410
1925 317,258
1926 332,684
These figures do not show what proportion of the grants were made to Europeans, nor do they make allowance for surrenders; but the total area alienated at the 31st December, 1926, was 6,005,774 acres. As regards land under occupation by Europeans, the total amount, according to the Kenya Agricultural Census for the year ended 31st July, 1927, was 4,737,920 acres. I am not in a position to supply the detailed information asked for in the second and third parts of the question. I cannot say what percentage of the total land area of Kenya could properly be classed as fertile, but the area alienated at the 31st December, 1926, was approximately 4 per cent. of the total land area.

17. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much land of the native reserves now occupied by natives it is proposed to alienate or which will be available for European settlement under the Native Land Trust Bill now under discussion in Kenya Colony; and where this land is situated?

Mr. AMERY

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 21st June to the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Gillett).

18. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any correspondence has passed between his office and the Government of Kenya Colony as to the Native Land Trust Bill which that Government is understood to be introducing during this month; and, if so, whether a copy of such papers may be placed in the Library of the House?

Mr. AMERY

Correspondence has passed, and is still passing, between the Governor of Kenya and myself in regard to the Native Land Trust Bill which was recently introduced into the Legislative Council in Kenya. I will consider when the correspondence is complete what part, if any, of it can be published.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to let us have some of this correspondence before his Estimates come up for discussion this year?

Mr. AMERY

I think that I must wait until the correspondence is complete, but I will consider the suggestion.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Will the right hon. Gentleman prepare some statement on the matter?

Mr. AMERY

I will consider that point.