§ 34. Sir ROBERT HAMILTONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if there has been an increase of immigration into Kenya as a result of the recent discoveries of gold and, if so, what are the figures; and what formalities such immigrants undergo and under what conditions they are living and working in the native reserves?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)During the last four months of 1932 the number of immigrants into Kenya was very considerably less than the corresponding figure during any one of the previous six years. I am causing the 27 exact statistics to be circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT. All new immigrants into Kenya who are unable to show that they come to permanent employment are required to deposit £50 or to produce a bond for that amount entered into on their behalf by a reputable resident. Before being granted a permit to seek minerals in a native reserve a prospector must comply with certain conditions prescribed by the Central Lands Trust Board. These conditions include the deposit of a further sum of £25 as a guarantee for the payment not only of wages but also of the compensation for surface disturbance stipulated under the Mining Ordinance of 1931. Those at present engaged in mining operations in the native reserves are to a largely preponderating extent local residents. The mining community lives for the most part in extemporised dwellings, though a few wood and iron houses have been erected. There have been but rare cases of serious illness and visits are from time to time carried out by the local sanitary inspector. The Deputy Director of Sanitary Services has recently made a tour of the mining district and his report is now receiving the attention of the Government of Kenya.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLWill the right hon. Gentleman inform the House as to the
| — | 1926. | 1927. | 1928. | 1929. | 1930. | 1931. | 1932. | Decrease from 1931. | over 1931. | ||
| September: | |||||||||||
| European | … | … | 496 | 506 | 501 | 720 | 662 | 368 | 383 | — | 15 |
| Indian | … | … | 525 | 707 | 685 | 729 | 733 | 558 | 555 | 3 | — |
| October: | |||||||||||
| European | … | … | 629 | 801 | 701 | 792 | 883 | 724 | 750 | — | 26 |
| Indian | … | … | 575 | 822 | 748 | 1,039 | 975 | 750 | 440 | 310 | — |
| November: | |||||||||||
| European | … | … | 668 | 776 | 759 | 733 | 992 | 888 | 540 | 348 | — |
| Indian | … | … | 882 | 881 | 1,313 | 999 | 780 | 664 | 378 | 286 | — |
| December: | |||||||||||
| European | … | … | 658 | 610 | 691 | 820 | 561 | 715 | 441 | 274 | — |
| Indian | … | … | 1,246 | 1,747 | 1,018 | 1,637 | 1,375 | 753 | 412 | 341 | — |
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUEL(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister if an early opportunity will be given for a discussion on the Ordinance relating to the Kenya Goldfield?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand that it may be possible to arrange for a
§ total number of immigrants who have appeared on the field, and the total number of native people evacuated?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI should like notice of the first part of the question, but I can say at once that, so far as I am aware, not a single native has been evacuated. All the proceedings that have taken place and all the prospecting now going on is taking place under an Ordinance settled during the time of his own Government.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the House will have an opportunity of discussing this matter?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThere is a question on that to the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman say to whom the gold that has been found belongs?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAll gold in Kenya, whether in the native reserve or in other land, belongs to the Crown.
§ Mr. THORNEWhat does the Crown do with it?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERTry to see that it is worked to the best advantage.
§ Following are the statistics:
§ discussion to-morrow, or to-morrow week, if one of the hon. Members who is successful in the Ballot is agreeable to selecting this as a subject for his Motion.
§ Mr. ATTLEEArising out of that reply, can the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that no further 29 obligations or commitments will be entered into before the House has had an opportunity of discussing the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Ordinance is in force, as was announced before the House rose for Christmas.
§ Sir S. CRIPPSMay I draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that there are many rumours current that large commitments are being entered into by the Government in the Colony with regard to licences for prospecting very great areas; and will he give an undertaking that no such commitments will be definitely settled before the House has had an opportunity of discussing them?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is obviously not a question for me. That is a question for the Minister in charge of the Department concerned. I merely gave an answer on the matter of the time for discussion.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs it quite fair to the House to make the discussion of this rather important matter a question of the luck of the ballot?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs I have pointed out, there will be two opportunities—as a matter of fact, four opportunities—for discussing this subject, and, as the Government have a very heavy programme of legislation, I hoped it might be possible to dispose of the matter in that way. I can assure the whole House that the very last thing the Government intend to do is to suppress discussion on this subject.
§ Mr. THORNEDoes not the Prime Minister recognise the amazing nature of the statement which he has just made, that, as a matter of fact, he has no control at all over this matter? Is this not a Cabinet question, and not a question for the chief of one of his Departments?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat was in reference to details of administration. Questions as to details of administration will be answered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the questions are put down on the Order Paper.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELL:Is the House not entitled to ask the Prime Minister, in view of this departure from his own 30 policy, whether the granting of further licences will not be suspended until the House has declared its view?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIf I may answer that-question, there appears to be a misapprehension. The granting of prospecting licences has nothing whatever to do with this Ordinance. The granting of prospecting licences is being done to-day under the Mining Ordinance which has been in force for a considerable time and its terms were settled while the Labour party was in office.
§ Mr. GRENFELLDoes not the granting of mining licences in this case involve separate legislation passed a few years ago, and does not the whole matter arise from that?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, it does not. The granting of prospecting licences is entirely done under the Mining Ordinance. There are two perfectly different things. One is the granting of prospecting licences and the other is the granting of leases. All the amending Ordinance does is to cover a temporary period, pending the final report of the Morris Carter Commission, and it merely deals with the granting of surface leases.
§ Mr. ANEURIN BEVANIs it not clear that if those Members who succeed in the ballot for private Members' Motions are in favour of the policy now being pursued in Kenya, the House will be effectually debarred from an opportunity of discussing the matter?
§ Mr. LUNNMay I ask the Prime Minister if he considers it, reasonable for the Government to suggest that a question of this sort, which is causing consternation in all parts of the Empire, should be raised on a private Member's Motion; and would he be prepared to give a day for the discussion of it, as between the Government and the Opposition?
§ The PRIME MINISTERRight hon. Gentlemen seem to forget that there was a, discussion of the whole of this matter before the House rose for Christmas. [Holy. MEMBERS: "No !"] What private Members do with their opportunities today and to-morrow is for them to settle. I merely suggest that it would be a saving of time that they should be used partly for this purpose.