HC Deb 08 March 1939 vol 344 cc2130-1
47. Mr. Lathan

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement on the progress of the scheme for Jewish settlement in Kenya recommended by the Committee on Closer Settlement in its recent report?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the scheme referred to in paragraph 158 of the Kenya Settlement Committee Report issued in January last. Of the 30 refugees selected to form the first body of settlers under this scheme all but two have already left Europe to begin their period of training in Kenya.

Mr. Creech Jones

Are we to understand that this kind of settlement is limited to the Highlands? Will the right hon. Gentleman also keep in mind the plains?

Mr. Mac Donald

All those matters are kept in mind. I am not certain that this kind of settlement is necessarily confined to the Highlands, although I have no doubt that most of it must be in the Highlands.