HC Deb 10 December 1952 vol 509 c449
31. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to make a cadastral survey of Kikuyu-land.

Mr. Lyttelton

I doubt whether a cadastral survey would be appropriate in the Kikuyu reserve, where individual rights to land are not generally recognised by the people and the boundaries of holdings are not for the most part clearly set out. There may, however, be a case for the recording of presumptive titles in certain places; and the matter is one which I am proposing to discuss with the Kenya Government.

Mr. Rankin

Would the Minister not agree that if we are going to get down to the land problem in Kenya, we have got to deal with the question of fragmentation, litigation and transfer, and all that that means, which can only be done through a cadastral survey?

Mr. Lyttelton

I do not think that a cadastral survey is appropriate. These are questions into which the Royal Commission will have to look.