44. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether further consideration has been given to the question of African representation in the legislative bodies of Kenya?
§ Colonel StanleyA recent departure in the policy of associating Africans more closely with the central Government in Kenya has been the establishment of a Standing Advisory Committee on Local Native Councils on which Africans are in the majority. The two European members of the Legislative Council who represent African interests are members of this Committee; and in order that they may be in close touch with local Native Councils in the Provinces, are also invited to attend the half-yearly meetings of delegates from Local Native Councils, which are now a regular feature in the Nyanza and Central Provinces.
Mr. Creech JonesCannot something be done to give greater African representation, direct or indirect, on the legislative bodies themselves?
§ Colonel StanleyThis is an advance, and I should like to see how it works first.
§ Mr. RileyDoes not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider it highly desirable that the Africans themselves should be appointed or elected to represent native interests on the Legislative Councils, and is he taking steps to have Africans so elected?