HC Deb 03 December 1952 vol 508 cc1548-50
32. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision is made for the proper care and feeding of livestock confiscated in Kenya.

48. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many head of cattle, sheep and goats belonging to people of the Kikuyu tribe have been seized by the Kenya Government; and how many still remain alive.

Mr. Lyttelton

There are two phases in the collection of livestock under Emergency Regulations; first seizure, and then possible confiscation of the whole, or part. Two orders only for confiscation have so far been made.

In each area concerned special herdsmen were engaged to look after the stock held. In the first area the animals have ample grazing, similar in quality to that on the farms whence they were brought. In the second area they are grazed during the day over 300 acres of pasture and each night held in paddocks in which their feeding is supplemented by cut fodder. Some of the animals seized were in poor condition and a small proportion had to be killed. The final order in this case was for confiscation of only half the stock seized, the remainder being returned.

About 4.7 per cent. of the cattle and about 16 per cent. of the sheep and goats were killed because of their poor condition or died. Death of adult cattle was due to the very poor condition when impounded, and some unweaned calves inevitably died through separation from the cows. Death of sheep and goats was due to sudden torrential rain after very dry weather. Similar losses from the same causes are often suffered by African stock owners.

Mr. Driberg

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen reports from reputable correspondents indicating that there was considerable neglect, at any rate, in the early stages, of these operations? Can he say whether compensation will be paid in respect of the livestock that have died from neglect, since this is the only property, the only livelihood of those very poor people?

Mr. Lyttelton

I do not think the hon. Gentleman could gather from what I have said that there has been any neglect.

Mr. Driberg

I said from correspondents.

Mr. Lyttelton

I have given the details of what was done. I should be glad to look into any individual case, but I am at the moment in communication with the Kenya Government on these matters.

Mr. Wigg

I asked the right hon. Gentleman this same question on 25th November, when he was kind enough to say that he had no information but that if I put the Question down he would give me an answer. I have put the Question down but he has not given me an answer. I asked how many head of cattle, and how many sheep and goats have been confiscated. Will he give the House those figures, and tell us how many have died?

Mr. Lyttelton

The total number of livestock impounded was about 3,500 cattle and about 6,000 sheep and goats. The percentages will give the hon. Gentleman the number that have been either killed or have died.

Mr. J. Griffiths

In view of the fact that these cattle and sheep would be the only wealth available to many of these Africans, will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving full compensation to Africans for any that have died in the process?

Mr. Lyttelton

There is in contemplation a form of fund, as the right hon. Gentleman knows. As I said, I am in communication with the Kenya Government on these subjects.