§ 50. Mr. PARKINSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to give effect to the suggestions made by Sir Roger Gibb in his report on railway rates and finance in Kenya; and, in particular, whether it is proposed, in accordance with his recom- 931 mendations, to abolish the post of high commissioner of transport, to alter the constitution of the railway advisory council, and to appoint a small board in London similar to the board of the Nyasa-land Railway?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe questions raised in the report are of great importance and complexity, and, as I informed the hon. Member for the Roth-well Division (Mr. Lunn), on the 8th of March, I propose to await the views of the conference of East African Governors before I consider taking any action. The Governors were not able to discuss the report at their recent conference at Entebbe, as they had not had sufficient time to examine it in detail, and a special meeting of the conference is to be summoned for the purpose probably in August or September.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONDoes not my right hon. Friend think that the present administration in Kenya is more costly and elaborate than the needs of the Colony require or, indeed, than it can afford?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not think that has anything to do with this question, but I can answer offhand that economies amounting to more than £500,000 have been effected.