§ 20. Mr. DAVID GRENFELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information regarding the proposal of the Government of Kenya to grant to a mining company an exclusive prospecting licence over an area of 5,900 square miles; whether any objections have been lodged against this grant; and whether any arrangements were made in the draft agreement for the safeguarding of native interests?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Government of Kenya announced on the 19th March that it had under consideration the issue of an exclusive prospecting licence (which had been applied for by Tanganyika Concessions, Limited) over an area of approximately 5,900 square miles in Nyanza Province. A period of three months expiring on the 19th June has been allowed for lodging objections. A number have already been received, and these, with any other objections that may be lodged, will, in accordance with the usual procedure, receive due consideration before any decision is taken. I have no knowledge of any draft agreement, but in regard to native interests I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on the 24th of February, of which I am sending him a copy.