§ 67. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies Why it has been decided to apply the compulsion and penalty clauses of the defence force ordinance in Kenya, as from 1st May; and how many conscript soldiers are likely to be obtained in each year as a, result?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)The Defence Force Ordinance of 1927 provides that members of the force in Class I shall undergo an annual period of training not exceeding 100 hours. The Governor has made a Regulation under this ordinance prescribing the period of training as 60 hours for recruits and 37 hours for others. Failure to comply with this regulation renders a member of the force liable to prosecution under the Defence Force Ordinance. I am advised that, if the efficiency of the force is to be maintained, it is necessary that the penalty clauses should be preserved and if necessary be enforced. No change has been made in the number or classes of persons liable to service under the Ordinance of 1927 except that certain exemptions have been made.
§ Mr. MANDERIs this the only part of the British Empire where conscription exists?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think that is so. I think there are several Colonies where there is power in the Governor, in case of emergency, to create and call out a defence force, but the Defence Force Ordinance in Kenya, which was passed in 1927 and has been maintained by successive Governors since, is, I believe, in a class by itself.