HC Deb 25 March 1935 vol 299 c1579
33. Mr. LUNN

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the ex gratia grant to the Kenya Government of £50,000, that Government is now taking steps to compensate the dependants of the men who lost their lives while in the East Africa carrier corps during the War?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No, Sir. The reason why compensation was not paid out immediately after the War was the extreme difficulty of identifying the persons to whom it was due. What was found to be impracticable in 1920 is clearly impossible now; and, as I explained in the Debate, the proposal made by His Majesty's Government which the House approved is that the £50,000 shall be devoted to carrying out the recommendations of the Carter Commission, which will benefit the native community at large.

Mr. LUNN

Do I understand that the whole of this £50,000 will be applied to native industries?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Most certainly. Possibly the hon. Gentleman was not present during the Debate on the subject, but he will find, on reference to the statement which I then made, that that is exactly the way in which it is proposed to spend this money.