HC Deb 13 March 1946 vol 420 cc1092-3
43. Mr. Dodds-Parker

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused in the administration of the Masai tribe in Kenya and Tanganyika by the fact that the tribe is divided by the inter-territorial boundary; and whether he will examine the desirability of realigning the boundary so as to bring the whole tribe under one administration.

Mr. Creech Jones

No instances of inconvenience in connection with the administration of this area have recently been brought to my notice, and in practice the administrative authorities on either side of the inter-territorial boundary co-operate to the fullest extent possible for the purpose of eliminating any such difficulties. I appreciate the intention of the hon. Member's suggestion in the second part of his Question, and I am aware that in the case of certain territories boundary lines pay insufficient regard to ethnological considerations, but there are, however, considerable practical difficulties in the way of accepting this suggestion.