HC Deb 23 April 1952 vol 499 cc390-1
37. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds a ban was imposed on a public meeting which was being organised by the East African Indian National Congress and the Kenya African Union, to be held in Nairobi on 6th April, to express sympathy with the Indian and African populations of the South African Union in their opposition to racial discrimination; and if he will indicate to the Kenya Government the undesirability of prohibiting free speech in assembly in this manner.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am making inquiries about this matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

Mr. Brockway

Would the right hon. Gentleman, when he is making these inquiries, bear in mind that, even in the South African Union, these gatherings were permitted? Will he consider whether it is desirable that the Kenya Government should out-Malan Dr. Malan?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I think that, before-we come to any general conclusions, we had better await the reply. It is upon the Government of Kenya that the responsibility for the preservation of law and order rests, and we shall give the Governor and his colleagues every support for any actions they take in that field. I think we had better wait until we get the answer to this particular inquiry.

Mr. John Dugdale

Will the right hon. Gentleman, while taking great care to see that law and order are preserved, make it clear that he does not want meetings stopped as an excuse for preserving law and order?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I do not think that, after 40 years' experience in Africa, there is any need to point out that obvious fact to the Governor of Kenya.

Mr. Archer Baldwin

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it is better to trust the men on the spot who know the position than to have the whole position weakened by irresponsible people in this House?