HC Deb 08 December 1943 vol 395 cc951-2
21. Mr. Riley

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement regarding the functions of the Standing Advisory Committee for Local Native Councils recently set up in Kenya; and whether, in connection with this advisory committee, a provision can be made to secure direct representation by Africans upon the Legislative Council?

Colonel Stanley

The functions of this Committee are to advise the Governor-in-Council on the draft annual Estimates of the Local Native Councils, and on such other matters as the Governor may refer to it. With regard to the second part of the Question, as I informed the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) on 21st April, I think that we should see how this Advisory Committee works before taking up the question of direct representation in the Legislative Council.

Mr. Riley

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that this is a suitable opportunity to arrange for some direct representation by Africans upon the Legislative Council, or is it the policy of the Government not to allow Africans to become members of the Legislative Councils in their own territory?

Colonel Stanley

No, Sir, it is obviously clear that it is not in the interest of the Africans to throw away the safeguards of present representation until one is certain that African representatives will be able to play their proper and fair share in the Legislative Assembly. Here is a way of trying them out, and if this experiment is successful, we will proceed to further progress.

22. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why no African has been appointed to sit on the Government Committee to consider further settlement in Kenya; whether any settlement policy has been approved both by the settlement section of the Agricultural Production and Settlement Board and by Parliament; and whether he is aware that the Rev. Beecher, appointed to represent East Africans on the Kenya Council, himself considers the whole system of Native representation unsatisfactory?

Colonel Stanley

The Government Committee is the Settlement Section of the Agricultural Production and Settlement Board. As I explained to my hon. Friend on 3rd November, this is primarily an executive body concerned only with settlement in the European areas and African representation would not be appropriate. The Board will implement the policy of closer European settlement in the Highlands which was approved by the then Secretary of State before the war. No new policy has been formulated. With regard to the last part of the Question, I am aware of Mr. Beecher's views on the question of African representation on the Legislative Council.

Mr. Sorensen

Will not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, in view of his knowledge of the Rev. Beecher's views, reconsider this question, as surely a man on the spot who takes such an interest in Africans has a point of view well worth consideration?

Colonel Stanley

A memorandum on the subject was submitted to me when in East Africa, and I have asked the Governor for his observations upon it.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman announce the result of his reflections on the matter?

Colonel Stanley

I am always anxious, in answer to any question, to give the result or lack of result of any of my reflections.