HC Deb 10 December 1952 vol 509 cc441-2
12. Mr. George Craddock

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any further statement to make concerning the membership of the Royal Commission to inquire into the situation which has arisen in Kenya.

24. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has now secured the full personnel for the Kenya Royal Commission; and how far these include Africans and non-Europeans.

Mr. Lyttelton

I am not yet in a position to make a further statement concerning the membership of the Royal Commission which is to inquire into land and population problems in East Africa as a whole. No time is being lost—

Mr. Dugdale

Nonsense.

Mr. Lyttelton

That is a quite unfounded interjection.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Eight months.

Mr. Lyttelton

It is not eight months. The report had to be referred to the High Commission Territories.

No time is being lost, but I am most anxious to secure the best people available.

Mr. Craddock

In view of the fact that the decision to set up this Commission was taken several months ago, does he not think that is an awfully long time without having reached any finality; and, in view of the very gloomy picture this morning, will he approach his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister so that we can be allotted a day for a debate on the problems of Kenya before we break for the Christmas Recess?

Mr. Lyttelton

That is an entirely different question, which is not a matter for me. I can only say that I know of no method by which the appointment of these gentlemen to the Royal Commission could be accelerated. I told the House last week that all communications with potential members of the Commission have been conducted by telegram.

Mr. Sorensen

In view of the fact that the personnel have not yet been decided upon, will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that at least one or two representatives of the non-Europeans in that area are approached?

Mr. Lyttelton

I answered a Question from the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on that subject. An African is being invited. So far, the first African who was asked was unable to accept for various reasons.

Mr. J. Griffiths

As it is over five months since the right hon. Gentleman announced in the House his intention of setting up this Royal Commission, and, we gather, many more months since it was suggested by the late Governor of Kenya, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is his intention to make an announcement on the membership of the Commission before the House rises for the Christmas Recess?

Mr. Lyttelton

I must say in candour that I do not know when the whole thing will be completed, but I hope to make an announcement about some of the members. The delays, I agree, are regrettable, but they are unavoidable.

Mr. Griffiths

Since there is in the country and, I think, in the House considerable concern about this delay—and the right hon. Gentleman has indicated to us that he is having difficulty—may I ask what are the difficulties which have prevented the completion of the Commission?

Mr. Lyttelton

I will give an example. I have sent an invitation to a certain gentleman—I think I had better not mention his name, as it would not be fair—and I have followed that up with three telegrams—I know that he is in an over-sea territory, although not in one of these territories—and I have had no answer. The gentleman in question would be a most desirable member of the Commission.