§ 19. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what 300 was the amount of the fine imposed on the Samburu tribe, members of which were held responsible for the death of an Englishman in Kenya; and whether, in view of such imposition, it has been definitely concluded that the man was murdered by members of the tribe in question?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have made inquiry of the Governor and I am informed that no fine has yet been imposed on the Samburu tribe. Inquiries have just been completed in respect of certain murders of natives, but a decision has not yet been reached as to whether a collective fine should be imposed. Inquiries are still proceeding into the death of the Englishman to whom my hon. Friend refers.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREDo I gather that it has not been established that this Englishman was murdered by these tribesmen?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThat is what I have just stated.
Mr. MORGAN-JONESIs it the custom where such offences are established for collective fines to be imposed on a tribe?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIt is difficult to say that a thing is a custom. The hon. Gentleman knows that there is a system of collective fines imposable when it is quite plain that in justice and equity a fine should be imposed on the tribe as a whole—a system not unknown to our law in this country in the case of disturbance—but the greatest care is exercised by the local administration in deciding in any particular case whether such a. fine is justifiable.