HC Deb 25 November 1952 vol 508 cc255-66
Mr. J. Griffiths

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make on the situation in Kenya.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Oliver Lyttelton)

Yes, Sir. The situation in Kenya has to some extent changed for the worse since I last made a statement in the House. It is clear that the Government of Kenya will be faced with serious trouble in certain localities for some time to come. There are some encouraging features, however, showing that although the disturbances are more serious they are also more localised. Accordingly, large-scale sweeps by troops and police are being abandoned, save in exceptional circumstances. In Nyeri, Kikuyu Home Guards are being successfully formed for four or five locations.

There have been several serious incidents, including the stealing of weapons, and some members of Mau Mau are becoming more violent. The Governor proposes to concentrate action in areas where serious crime or Mau Mau meetings occur. This will involve the distasteful but necessary procedure of punishment of certain defined areas and the area of punishment will be closely restricted.

Stock or bicycles and other transport will be seized if the inhabitants fail to take reasonable steps to prevent crime committed in their locality. In the light of a report or other information the Governor will decide whether a forfeiture order applying to all or only part of the seized property should be made. Before coming to his decision he will have regard to the extent of the co-operation of the people of the area with the police since the commission of the crime.

During the weekend the following serious incidents occurred:

1. News was received from a small police patrol that a meeting at Kilawara was planning to resist the establishment of a police post. Accordingly a party of three European officers and 23 Askaris left Thika Police Station to investigate. They found 2,000 Kikuyu being addressed by a young man who was inciting them to violence. He was arrested and he shouted to the crowd to release him. In face of warnings the crowd rushed at the police party. Two shots were fired into the ground. The crowd fell to the ground but quickly got up and rushed shouting at the police. A third warning was given and the police did not fire until the crowd were less than 10 yards from the nearest policeman. The Governor reported yesterday that 15 Africans had been killed and 29 wounded.

2. A gang of Kikuyu, armed with long knives, burst into a European farm near Thompson's Falls and attacked the farmer and his wife, named Meiklejohn. He has since died and she is in a dangerous condition.

3. Another European farm was entered in the same area when the owners were absent. Three rifles, a shot-gun and 250 rounds of assorted ammunition were stolen.

4. In Fort Hall district, two tribal policemen were murdered.

5. In South Nyeri five Africans supposed to have given information to the police were murdered.

6. A gang of 10 or more Kikuyu attacked two Asian shopkeepers near Thompson's Falls shouting "We are the Mau Mau." The Asians fired on them and drove them off.

One of the disturbing features of recent incidents has been the theft of arms and ammunition. Although trouble may be less widespread in future, it is likely to be more serious when it does occur. The Kenya Government have already modified their plans to meet the changing situation and I am in consultation with the Governor about further steps which may be taken.

I might add that I will keep the House informed as I receive reports of sufficient importance.

Mr. Griffiths

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the House and, I think, the country are deeply disturbed at the increasing gravity of the situation in Kenya? Whilst from the beginning we have given the Government our fullest support in any steps that are required to suppress Mau Mau, we are deeply concerned at the trends of present policy. Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to hold or arrange for the holding of an independent inquiry into the events at Kirawara? That has been done on previous occasions. Will he consider that?

Secondly, may I ask whether the present trend of policy is not fraught with the danger of converting the whole of the Kikuyu people into our enemies? From the very beginning the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and indeed the Government of Kenya, the Governor and spokesmen have indicated that the large majority of Africans were loyal and that this was a movement of a section of the African people designed as much for attacking loyal Africans as others. Are we not in danger of converting the whole of these people in the Kikuyu into our enemies? Will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider whether these measures which the Government and the Governor are now taking will have the effect of creating in Kenya a whole people who will be resentfully against us in the future?

Furthermore, may I ask whether the Secretary of State has now considered the suggestion which I made, and which I think met with approval in all parts of the House, that an all-party delegation should proceed forthwith to Kenya to investigate what is taking place and report to the House? May I also ask whether he is now in a position to complete the Royal Commission, the appointment of which was announced several months ago, which we have urged and which should be completed at once and proceed to its task?

Mr. Lyttelton

On the first matter mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, I will, of course, consider any suggestion that he puts forward. We must be very careful in setting up inquiries into police action to avoid giving the impression that we are not behind what is taking place. As far as I am informed—and I think that I have complete information—the police could have taken no other action than that which they did take, and I am very anxious to avoid any suggestion—as I am sure the right hon. Gentleman is—of back-seat driving in these matters.

I think that the second question asked by the right hon. Gentleman concerned the danger in these circumstances of getting the whole of the Kikuyu, numbering about one million, against us. Quite frankly, that, of course, is a danger in the suppression of violence which may always arise and it would be simply not candid of me if I did not say that it was a danger. At the same time, I see no alternative but to put down as ruthlessly as is necessary, and no more ruthlessly than is necessary, crimes against law and order. I said that any punishment that took place must be strictly localised to the place where the crime has occurred and where co-operation by a small group of inhabitants has not been forthcoming, and that we should avoid communal punishment on a larger scale.

On the last question asked by the right hon. Gentleman about a delegation and the Commission, I shall be answering a Question tomorrow on that subject, but I think that it would be fair to say to the right hon. Gentleman that my opinion is that an all-party delegation at this moment and in the present state of the Colony would not be a suitable measure to take. That is not to say that in other circumstances I would not give it sympathetic consideration. With regard to the Royal Commission, we are proceeding with all the speed that we can to get the members appointed, and one or two have already accepted, but this is a question of communication and not of any delay by the Government.

Mr. Griffiths

I very much regret that the Secretary of State has said that he is turning down the suggestion that I made about an all-party delegation. I shall take opportunities of raising that again. May I ask whether that does not make it imperative that there should be an independent inquiry into the events that happened on Sunday? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman further why the Government in Kenya do not take full advantage, as it seems to us they are not taking, of the offer of the moderate African leaders to assist them in this matter?

Mr. Lyttelton

This is quite another question. On the first matter, which the right hon. Gentleman has raised again, I cannot go further at this moment than to say that I will, of course, consider with the greatest earnestness and attention his suggestion, of which I have just heard for the first time, but there are other aspects of this question to which he can hardly expect me to reply at a moment's notice. I cannot go further than say that I will consider his suggestion. We have to be very careful not to give the impression, which I am sure is not a correct one, that we do not support the police in the exercise of their duty.

Mr. A. Fenner Brockway

Will the right hon. Gentleman place in the Library copies of the new Defence Regulations which have been promulgated today and to which he has referred in his answer? May I ask him whether those Defence Regulations enable all the property of the people in a particular area to be confiscated—not only the cattle, but personal articles like bicycles—and whether in other areas persons may be evicted from their homes? Does he not feel that that kind of action, while it may suppress Mau Mau organisations, is likely only to spread the spirit of Mau Mau among the Kikuyu people?

Mr. Lyttelton

I will go this far—which is further than the hon. Member asks—and say that all these Defence Regulations of a special nature, which come under the emergency powers of the Kenya Government, will be placed in the Library as they are received. I cannot answer the remainder of that question without having seen the legislation in detail, but I would add that in this dangerous situation it is true that we run the risk of alienating those who are sympathetic to us now, and that is inherent in all these situations and is a danger against which, so far as is humanly possible, we must guard.

Mr. T. Reid

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when troubles like this occur in Colonies, it is of the greatest importance to send out a Commission to investigate real and imaginary grievances? May I ask whether the delay in appointing the Commission is due to the fact that the members are not to be paid?

Mr. Lyttelton

No, I do not think that is so. The gentlemen who are being asked are spread fairly widely over the world, and since the chairman has been appointed I have used every expedition that I could to get replies. I think only three have so far consented to join, and I am without a reply from the others, but I am pushing on as quickly as I can.

Mr. Alport

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the right hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) does not entirely represent the views of the House on the particular point which he raised, and that there is considerable opposition on this side of the House to the proposal which he made on an earlier occasion? Does my right hon. Friend not feel that that point should be made clear?

Mr. Lyttelton

Any views which the right hon. Gentleman, my predecessor in this Office, puts forward from that Box will be studied with the greatest earnestness and consideration.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Does not the Minister agree that one of the first things to be done in Kenya is to establish confidence in British law and justice, and does he not think that that would be best achieved by sending out at the earliest possible moment an all-party delegation such as my right hon. Friend has suggested?

Mr. Lyttelton

No, Sir. The first necessity of re-establishing confidence in British law and order is to see that the witnesses of crimes who wish to come forward are not intimidated by those who are instigating these crimes.

Mr. Baldwin

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the speeches made in this House during the last 10 days will still further inflame the very delicate position in Kenya at the moment, and will he consider having some curb, in some way or another, put upon speeches—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—and Questions which will lead to the death of innocent people in Kenya?

Mr. Lyttelton

No doubt when different opinions are expressed there are some disadvantages in having them expressed. On the other hand, the advantages of free speech very greatly outweigh those disadvantages.

Mr. Driberg

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his rather cautious repudiation of that disgraceful suggestion by the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Baldwin), which almost amounted to a breach of Privilege, may I ask him, on the question of the Royal Commission, whether he has invited any Africans to serve on it?

Mr. Lyttelton

I should have preferred to answer that question when I had a reply, but since the hon. Member puts it straight at me, the answer is, yes.

Mr. Fernyhough

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of us can never in any circumstances condone a policy of collective punishment, as it is un-Christian and immoral, it savours of Nazism and defeats the end which it attempts to achieve?

Mr. Lyttelton

The hon. Member has indulged in the not uncommon practice of answering his own question.

Mr. Wigg

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House the circumstances in which 1,000 of the 3,000 head of cattle, which were seized last week as a communal punishment, have died, and whether their death has been brought about as an act of deliberate policy or merely through neglect?

Mr. Lyttelton

I have no information on the subject. I will obtain it and will make it known to the hon. Member if he puts a Question on the Paper, or by other means, but I can assure him that the 1,000 cattle have not been destroyed as an act of policy.

Mr. J. Griffiths

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under the provisions of Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely: The serious disturbances which occurred at Kirawara in Kenya on Sunday last in which 21 Africans are believed to have been killed and others injured.

Mr. Speaker

The right hon. Gentleman has asked for leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under the provisions of Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, The serious disturbances which occurred at Kirawara in Kenya on Sunday last in which 21 Africans are believed to have been killed and others injured. I know no more than other Members of the House what happened there, but from the statement that I heard from the right hon. Gentleman this afternoon it appears to be one in a continuous series of incidents, and I cannot think that that would come within the Standing Order It is not a definite matter in that sense, but is connected with so many others.

Mr. Griffiths

I appreciate that there has been for some weeks a state of emergency in Kenya which we have discussed as a general problem in this House, but this is the most serious incident that has occurred since the emergency began. Would you not consider, Mr. Speaker, that the disturbances at Kirawara on Sunday are sufficiently serious and urgent to warrant our asking for the Adjournment of the House?

Mr. Hector Hughes

Surely there is no antithesis between continuity and definiteness? A matter may be definite and of urgent public importance and yet it may be continuing. A house may be on fire and it may be definite and urgent and continuing. Surely there is no true antithesis there?

Mr. Speaker

I think there is in this case. A series of incidents has been narrated to us by right hon. Gentlemen on both sides. It seems to me that they are part of one story and the proper course for the House would be to arrange an early occasion, if it could, to debate the whole of the Kenya situation.

Mr. Fenner Brockway

Does your Ruling, Mr. Speaker, mean that since what is happening in Kenya is a continuing story, no particular incident, however serious it may be, can be the subject of a Motion for the Adjournment of the House?

Mr. Speaker

I am very glad that the hon. Member has asked that question. I would not like that impression to be created. I have to form my own opinion and from what I have heard this afternoon it would appear to me that all these incidents are connected. Therefore, the proper course to adopt to get a fair decision from the House would be to have a debate wide enough in scope to consider the whole matter.

Mr. Fenner Brockway

In that case I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on a wide basis which will include the other subjects. I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely: The failure of the Government to prevent acts of violence by Africans against Europeans and the shooting of 20 Africans and the wounding of 27 others in a clash with the police on 23rd November last.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member begs leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely: The failure of the Government to prevent acts of violence by Africans against Europeans and the shooting of 20 Africans and the wounding of 27 others in a clash with the police on 23rd November last. That is not definite enough for the purposes of the Standing Order. I have expressed my Ruling that the proper way to deal with this matter is to have a debate upon it free from the trammels of the Standing Order. It seems to me that all these matters are related and that the House should arrange an early opportunity, if it can, for a debate on this serious situation.

Mr. S. Silverman

On the point whether the fact that these events are continuous removes the element of definiteness which the Standing Order requires, you will no doubt recall that in the old days, when there was a corresponding continuous state of affairs in Ireland, there were, nevertheless, numerous occasions when particular incidents arising out of that continuous series of events were held to be proper subjects for special Adjournment debates under this Standing Order. In view of that parallel, is not there room for reconsidering your Ruling?

Mr. Bowles

I can recall two precedents, Mr. Speaker. The Leader of the Opposition raised this matter in 1936 because of the failure of the Government—the same point as that which was raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway)—to take certain steps in the Spanish War. I raised a similar matter in 1944 on the failure of the Government to take certain steps to prevent Transport Command accidents. I beg you to realise that those precedents are well remembered by Members of this House. My hon. Friend the Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman) also referred to the Irish troubles. Therefore, with great respect, I suggest that your Ruling seems to be slightly ill-founded so far as precedents are concerned.

Mr. J. Hudson

Is it not the case that the events at Amritsar were debated on a Motion to adjourn the House similar to the one now being discussed? The events at Amritsar were in continuance of other incidents which took place at that period. As the Motion was then allowed, is it not fair to ask that it should also be allowed on this occasion?

Mr. Attlee

May I put it to you, Mr. Speaker, that while we must guard against abuse of the use of this Standing Order, it is essential that its use should be guarded in proper cases. I find it a little difficult to understand why, because there is a continuing series of events, if some particular event comes into prominence it should not be raised. If that is so, it seems to me that at any time when there were disturbances in the Colonies, Ireland, or anywhere else—or even an industrial dispute like that at Tonypandy—one would be precluded from raising one particular issue because of the continuance of the trouble.

I put it to you, Mr. Speaker, that it is important to preserve the rights of this House with regard to raising particular incidents.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)

On a point of order. Am I not right in understanding that you have given your Ruling on this matter? Is it in accordance with the practice, procedure and interests of the House that your Ruling, when given on the highly technical question of the Adjournment of the House should be the subject of prolonged discussion?

Mr. Attlee

Further to that point of order. Is it not within your recollection, Mr. Speaker, that on a number of occasions when this question has been put forward it has always been possible to submit reasons to Mr. Speaker for his consideration without in any way suggesting that we are controverting his Ruling?

Mr. Clement Davies

As I understood the right hon. Gentleman, he began his statement by saying that the situation had worsened. There had been a point up to which the authorities had been able to deal with the situation, but now there was a worsening, and new and more drastic steps would have to be taken. That would tend to show that something fresh has happened which may require immediate consideration by this House.

The Prime Minister

Might I suggest that it would be better for a debate to be arranged through the usual channels instead of on a precise, specific mattes of this kind? The usual channels can be a medium for arriving at an occasion when a debate on the whole situation in Kenya can take place and—though this is hardly relevant and I ask the indulgence of the House—is it not really dangerous at this critical moment to do anything which weakens the confidence of the handful of Europeans in the discharge of their duty, upon which the prevention, perhaps, of the massacre of large numbers of white people depends?

Mr. J. Griffiths

In reply to the Prime Minister, may I say that if he had been here during the previous debates we have had upon this subject he would have agreed that we have shown a sense of responsibility that might have been followed in other parts of the House. We all hope that there will not be any more serious disturbances in Kenya, but since this is a continuing situation and today or tomorrow an event may occur which gives rise to a very serious situation, am I to understand that you would then rule that it would not be permissible to move the Adjournment of the House, however serious that particular event might be?

Mr. Speaker

Most certainly not.

Mr. Snow

May I underline something that was said by the right hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. C. Davies), that this is a new departure in Government policy? "The use of as much ruthlessness as is necessary" were, I think, the words of the Colonial Secretary; is not this a new policy deserving of the consideration of the House?

Mr. Speaker

I have listened to the discussion with considerable interest. Of course, I had not heard the statement of the right hon. Gentleman the Colonial Secretary until he made it and I had to make up my mind on the points as they were submitted to me. It seems to me that we have already started a debate on this matter. I have reconsidered what I said, and I think the proper course would be for me to ask whether the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Fenner Brockway) and the right hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) have the support of the House.

The pleasure of the House not having been signified, Mr. SPEAKER called on those Members who supported the Motion to rise in their places, and not less than Forty Members having accordingly risen, the Motion stood over, under Standing Order No. 9 (Adjournment on definite matter of urgent public importance), until Seven o'clock this evening.