HC Deb 08 March 1933 vol 275 c1159
8. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps have been taken to ensure the appointment of Indians to superior posts in the Government Departments in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)

No, Sir. In filling appointments the first consideration must clearly be the fitness of the applicant, and I should deprecate any arrangement designed, as the question suggests, to ensure that superior posts in East Africa are allocated to applicants from one particular part of the Empire.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Are the Indians referred to in the question given an opportunity to demonstrate their qualifications?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Yes, Sir; everyone in the Service is given an opportunity of demonstrating his qualifications every day.