HC Deb 10 December 1952 vol 509 cc447-9
30. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of the Kenya administration speak the Kikuyu language.

Mr. Lyttelton

I am asking the Governor for this information and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Rankin

Is the Minister aware there is a wide impression that very few members of the administration in Kenya know the Kikuyu language and that this has lead to a lack of contact between the administration and the Kikuyu people with a consequent lack of appreciation of what was happening?

Mr. Lyttelton

The point is well taken, but is one which we shall look into. It cannot be put right very quickly.

Mr. Benn

As the Colonial Secretary seems unable to answer any Question without asking the Governor, would he arrange with hon. Members from all sides of the House to have an opportunity of meeting the Governor himself while he is in London?

Mr. Lyttelton

The first part of the Question gives currency to an idea which is entirely wrong. It is, in fact, quite impossible for the Colonial Office to keep statistical information over the whole field of all these Colonies which have governments of their own. I will try to arrange what the hon. Gentleman suggests in the second part of his supplementary.

Mr. Harold Davies

In view of the tone and temper of the answers of the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask permission to read an extract from the Report which was not available to Members of this House, namely the Mitchell Report, Colonial No. 290, on page 23 of which there is—

Mr. Speaker

We have had this already I think.

Miss Ward

rose—

Mr. Davies

On a point of order. I thought I was right in asking the Minister if he was aware of something in the Report which he has given to us. Am I in order in asking the Minister whether he is aware of this sentence in the Report, which is not available to us, but which, after a great struggle and some effort, I managed to extract from the Colonial Office?

Mr. Speaker

I thought the hon. Member was trying to reopen the controversy about the non-availability of this paper, which was dealt with at some length. The hon. Member can put his point if he puts it shortly.

Mr. Lyttelton

On a point of order. Am I right in supposing that it is not in order to ask this question on the question of how many members of the Kenya administration speak the Kikuyu language?

Mr. Davies

In view of the fact that I have not asked the question, I do not know how anyone in the House could say what it is about.

Mr. Speaker

We must clear this up. We are now at Question No. 30, and I take it that the hon. Member's supplementary is relevant to that Question?

Mr. Davies

Yes, it is very relevant.

Mr. Speaker

What is it?

Mr. Davies

It is relevant because the Report suggests that it is imperative to keep clearly in mind that the problem is a human problem, compounded of the needs, hopes and fears of a great mass of people, most of whom are at the present time sadly handicapped by ignorance. ill health, poverty and inexperience for the world which has rushed upon them with a bewildering suddenness. Will the Minister, therefore—

Mr. Speaker

I do not think that question can be related to the narrow point of language.

Mr. Rankin

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Is the hon. Member rising to a point of order?

Mr. Rankin

Further to the point of order raised by the Secretary of State, I should like to ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker. Surely it is clear that the effectiveness of an administration depends on a knowledge of the language of the people who are under their control?

Mr. Speaker

On that interpretation of his question about the language the hon. Member could bring in the whole issue of the administration.

Miss Ward

Is my right hon. Friend aware how glad we on this side of the House are that we have a Secretary of State for the Colonies who speaks with a sense of responsibility?