§ 23. Mr. LUNNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the fact that the natives of Kenya are the only section of the community which, under the existing arrangements, will not benefit from the exploitation of the mines so 1239 far as their main development services are concerned, what steps are being taken to remedy this anomaly?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI do not share the view that the fact that mining royalties and fees are paid into the general revenues of the Colony and not into any local fund constitutes an anomaly. In the first place, the natives share indirectly with all other sections of the community in the benefits arising from the receipt by the Government of mining royalties. In the second place they derive very substantial direct benefits from the operation of the mines in the Reserves by way of the profitable employment which is now available to them, the easy and expanding market provided for their produce, and the ground rents and fuel royalties which are paid to the local Native Councils, for the benefit of the communities directly affected.
§ Mr. LUNNHas the right hon. Gentleman any information to show what direct benefits come to the natives from these developments and improvements?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAs examples I have given the ground rents, the fuel fees, and employment at far higher wages than they have ever had before.
§ Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHSDo these natives enjoy the same amount of benefit as miners in Britain from the royalty owners, because there are 44,000 of them out of work now?