§ 34. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a request from the Kenyatta - Kikuyu Central Association asking for facilities to send two delegates on behalf of the natives to give evidence before the Joint Parliamentary Committee and asking for financial assistance in order that these witnesses can attend in London; and what action has been taken in the, matter?
§ Dr. SHIELSYes, Sir. My Noble Friend has received a telegram to this effect direct from Johnstone, Kenyatta. In accordance with the usual procedure in such cases, a copy of this telegram is being sent to the Acting Governor of Kenya, who is being requested to inform the association that the question whether the Joint Committee will receive oral as well as written evidence is one for decision by the Committee, and that in the circumstances the question of arrangements for any delegations from East Africa to come to England for the purpose of making representations to the Committee must await the assembly of the Committee and the expression of its wishes in this matter.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre the Government prepared to give facilities for these witnesses to come before the Committee?
§ Dr. SHIELSI am sure that the Government will be prepared to do all that they can to facilitate the proceedings of the Committee.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCould not that fact be made known to these people, who are right in the interior and whose evidence would he very useful to the Committee?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe first meeting of the Committee is to be held to-morrow, and I do not think that there will be any harm in waiting until after that meeting, and seeing what is the decision of the Committee.