§ 18. Mr. John Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why a grant of £50,000 has been made from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund to the Kenya Institute for the purpose of erecting a war memorial.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Rees-Williams)The position is not quite as suggested in the Question. The Kenya Institute of Nairobi is designed to be a social and cultural centre for members of all races and sections of the community. It will be a common meeting ground, and of importance in promoting good race relations and cultural purposes Apart from the grant from the Colonial Development and Welfare Vote, financial support has already been promised by the Kenya War Memorial Trustees, the National Theatre Committee and the Kenya Government, which has also supplied the land free of charge. The British Council Representative in Nairobi and a number of prominent citizens, including the Mayor, are co-operating with the Governor in this project. The scheme has the full support of my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. HyndWhile the Minister will realise that if this scheme is carried on in the spirit which he indicated it will be a welcome contribution towards Colonial life, is he not also aware of the difficulties of such a scheme, and will he therefore keep close contact with it in order to see that it is in fact directed towards the purposes that he has mentioned?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI have no reason to suppose that it will not be carried on in that spirit, but the scheme will be examined from time to time.
Colonel DowerIs the Under-Secretary aware that in Kenya they very much appreciate this scheme, as a tribute of appreciation for the great part they played during the war, not only in Madagascar and the Italian Territories, but in India?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsYes, Sir.