§ 29. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the need to increase production of foodstuffs in Kenya, the Government of Kenya intends to permit Indians to occupy and cultivate lands reserved for white settlers but at present not under cultivation.
§ Colonel StanleyNo, Sir, that is not the intention. The hon. Member will realise that the Indian community is drawn from trading and artisan, and not from agricultural, classes.
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the fact that the land is lying idle, is it not possible to give those Indians who desire it, the use of the land? Although they may be drawn from the artisan class, they are as capable as artisans in this country of cultivating a piece of land and producing a good food growth on it.
§ Colonel StanleyI am anxious to increase food production in Kenya to the maximum extent, but I am quite certain this would have little, if any, practical effect, and would create a great deal of disturbance.
30. Mr. Gallacher asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the strong resentment of Indians in Nairobi at the Defence Regulation of 1944 in so far as it prohibits or restricts the entry of Indians into Kenya and threatens that Indian re
§ Colonel StanleyI am aware that protests have been made by the Indian community against these regulations, which are similar to those introduced in Uganda and Tanganyika. The regulations apply to persons of all races whose admission is not essential to the war effort and there is no discrimination against Indians. They have been necessitated by the serious position with regard to housing and food, and are not intended to be permanent. Persons temporarily leaving East Africa are exempt from the regulations on their return, provided that they are normally resident there and have not been absent for more than two years.
§ Mr. GallacherHow can it be said that these regulations are in force because of the scarcity of housing and food, when there is a considerable amount of land available there on which these people could be growing food? The necessary housing could quite easily be made available.
§ Colonel StanleyIt is not easy to provide the necessary housing accommodation because neither labour nor materials are available. Also, our experience is that the great majority of these Indians who come in, have nothing to do with agricultural work but go into trading or mechanical occupations.
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not the case that these regulations had to be made, in order to keep special preserves for the white settlers?
§ Colonel StanleyThat is quite untrue. In fact these regulations were first made in Tanganyika, where the same considerations do not apply at all.