HC Deb 10 February 1937 vol 320 cc389-90
30. Mr. Day

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the manner in which the European man-power of the Kenya Colony is now being utilised on a voluntary military basis for the general security of the colony?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The general outline of the proposals was indicated in the reply given by my predecessor to the right hon. and gallant Member for the Drake Division (Captain Guest) on 16th March last. Since that date the details of the scheme have been worked out by a local committee and embodied in draft legislation, which has been published for consideration during the current session of the Kenya Legislative Council.

Mr. Day

Were the unofficial community consulted before this legislation was published?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The object of publishing it in draft form, and no decision being taken either by the Governor of Kenya or by myself, is that the unofficial community shall be fully consulted, and the matter fully and freely debated in the Legislative Council.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Can the right hon. Gentleman say from what direction any threat to the general security of Kenya comes?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I leave the hon. and gallant Member to draw any conclusion he likes.

Mr. Lunn

Is this in place of conscription in Kenya?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

My predecessor said last year: I have agreed that the European manpower of the Colony could most efficiently be utilised, and the general security of Kenya best be served, by replacing the defence force, which is not satisfactory from a military point of view, by a Territorial Force on a voluntary basis."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 16th March, 1936; col. 34, Vol. 310.]