25. Miss RATHBONEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a girl named Kekwe, in Tanganyika, was recently sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for the manslaughter of the man chosen by her parents to marry her against her will; and whether he will consider promoting a law in Tanganyika, and in other British dependencies in Africa, requiring notice of intending marriage to be given to the tribal authority, who shall register such marriage and prevent it if the girl refuses, or will he take other steps to prevent the forced marriage of African girls?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI have seen a reference in the Press to the case mentioned by the hon. Member. As regards the general question involved, I understand that in all British African Dependencies women are free to bring cases of attempted coercion to the notice of the authorities, in which event appropriate steps would be taken. I am asking the Governors of the Dependencies concerned whether the present practice is, in their view, sufficient to prevent abuses, and if not, what further steps they consider might be taken in the matter.
Miss RATHBONEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the authority in that particular case was Archdeacon Owen, who has very great knowledge of the customs in the Colony; and will he, perhaps, communicate with Archdeacon Owen and take his statement?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIn the first part of my reply I said that I have seen a reference in the Press. It was a letter from Archdeacon Owen in the "Manchester Guardian." It is quite true that he has great knowledge of the Kavirondo tribe. In most African tribes the old idea of coercion is completely eradicated.