13. Captain GUESTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the specific recommendations made by the Joint Select Committee on Closer Union in East Africa, issued in 1931, regarding the claim of Kenya taxpayers to secure the right to control their own financial affairs?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAs I reminded the hon. and gallant Member in reply to his question last week, the Joint Select Committee advised in paragraph 75 of their report that
Conditions in East Africa demand the maintenance of an effective power of intervention by the Crown in all matters of local legislation and administration. This power will be exercised by His Majesty's 1922 Government acting through the Secretary of State.The Committee went on to point out in paragraphs 96–98 that the wishes of the Governor and, if necessary, of the Secretary of State are carried out, and must continue to be carried out, by the existence of an official majority in the Legislative Council.
Captain GUESTAre not opinions expressed in December, 1934, of greater force than opinions expressed in 1931?
§ Sir ROBERT HAMILTONIs it not a fact that the finding of the Joint Select Committee was generally accepted in Kenya?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe opinions expressed by some of the elected members in Kenya were fully considered by the Joint Select Committee which represented all parties in both Houses. The report of the Joint Select Committee was unanimous, and I think it was fully debated and unanimously accepted in both Houses of Parliament.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo. I should say the position to-day, financial and economic, is better than when the Commission reported.