HC Deb 01 July 1953 vol 517 c387
31. Mr. Edelman

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what instructions he has given to the security forces in Kenya for accepting surrender by suspected Mau-Mau terrorists.

Mr. Lyttelton

I have given no instructions on the subject to the security forces in Kenya.

Mr. Edelman

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of some anxiety in this country about the disparity between the number of those killed in these actions and the number taken prisoner? Is he aware that, in the Fort Hall area, 100 Africans were killed, but only two rifles were captured? Does that not indicate that there is room for inquiry?

Mr. Lyttelton

There is no information, or any case that I could trace, in which security forces had disregarded an attempt to surrender on the part of Mau Mau gangs. There is no recorded instance, as far as I can find, but I will continue to watch the subject.

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