HC Deb 22 April 1953 vol 514 cc1162-5
37. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a comprehensive statement on the troubles in Kenya.

Mr. Lyttelton

I will take an early opportunity of making a statement.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that some, I do not say many, loyalists are leaving Kenya because they have no assurance of protection, even in the city of Nairobi, where another murder occurred in the last few days? Is it not time steps were taken to protect loyalists, both coloured and white, and so preserve and encourage their loyalty?

Mr. Lyttelton

That supplementary question would seem to me to go very wide of the Question which the hon. and learned Member has on the Order Paper.

38. Mr. Paget

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Kikuyu have been shot whilst attempting to escape, or whilst resisting arrest, during the past six months.

Mr. Lyttelton

During the past six months 430 Mau Mau terrorists have been shot while resisting arrest or while attempting to escape.

Mr. Paget

Has the right hon. Gentleman had his attention drawn to the following paragraph appearing today in "The Times": Strictly impartial justice and discipline, openly demonstrated, could do much to rally the wavering majority, torn between their fears of Mau Mau and of its repressors. Do not the figures which he has just given demonstrate the alarming lack of police discipline?

Mr. Lyttelton

No, Sir. The figures I have quoted do not demonstrate that at all. In the circumstances the majority of the terrorists killed will always be found to be those who were resisting arrest. That is how the rebellion is evidenced. If the hon. Gentleman wishes an assurance from me that every measure will be taken to prevent indiscriminate shooting, I can give it to him.

Mr. Paget

There is a high proportion of killed and a low proportion of wounded.

Mr. J. Griffiths

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, when he makes a comprehensive statement, which I hope will be soon, he will deal fairly fully with allegations made by some reputable journalists about the lack of discipline among the Forces? There is some concern about this.

Mr. Lyttelton

Naturally. I think everyone else will be concerned about these allegations. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that when the allegations are supported by evidence that evidence will be taken, and any guilty person will be visited with severity. I must remain completely neutral on the matter until I have had evidence.

39. Mr. Paget

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the area in which any one Home Guard unit in Kenya operates and patrols and the number of Kikuyu that have been killed by Home Guard units on such patrols and operations.

Mr. Lyttelton

African Home Guard units are organised in the three Kikuyu districts and in the Embu and Meru districts. They operate in locations or sub-locations and work with the security forces in their area. Home Guard units in the towns are composed of all races; they are organised and patrol in sections and blocks. Information is not available about the number of terrorists killed by individual units. Forty-seven Mau Mau in all have been killed by Home Guards.

Mr. Paget

What control is exercised over these Home Guards on patrol? How far do they go from their own villages?

Mr. Lyttelton

I cannot give an accurate answer, but not very far. Many of the Home Guards operate under static conditions and play a static role.

Mr. Paget

Will the Minister take care to see that these Home Guards really are Home Guards and do not operate as marauding gangs, which is the danger?

Mr. Lyttelton

I must resist at once the hon. and learned Member's allegation that they act as marauding gangs. There is no justification for such an innuendo.

40. Mr. Paget

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he has received desiring him to appoint a general in Kenya with powers similar to those of General Templer in Malaya; and what action he is taking in this direction.

Mr. Lyttelton

The hon. and learned Member himself suggested that Sir Gerald Templer should be transferred to Kenya. No other representations to that effect have been made to me, though similar suggestions have occasionally appeared in newspapers here. General Hinde has been given authority over all officers of Government in carrying out the Governor's policy of dealing with the emergency and is solely responsible for the operational control of all the forces of law and order. No other change is contemplated.

41. Mr. Dugdale

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the powers that have been granted to the emergency committee set up in Kenya under the chairmanship of the Governor.

Mr. Lyttelton

The Committee has no executive powers but advises the Governor on all aspects of the emergency. The responsibility remains with the Governor.

Mr. Dugdale

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that, while doing everything possible to suppress Mau Mau, he will see that the ordinary forms of British justice are preserved and, in particular, will he say he deprecates such barbarous practices as public hangings which have been advocated by some people in Kenya?

Mr. Lyttelton

The right hon. Gentleman has gone very wide of the Question he has on the Order Paper. There is no public hanging, as he knows perfectly well.