§ 31. Mr. Pagetasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make with regard to the violent death of 51 of Her Majesty's subjects in Kenya shortly prior to 26th June.
§ Mr. LytteltonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. PagetHas the right hon. Gentleman observed the report in "The Times":
This has been another good day for the security forces. Fifty-one terrorists have been killed. … The troops discovered many small hide-outs tunnelled into the bracken.With regard to this 25½ brace, can he tell us what evidence there is that these citizens who were killed were terrorists. Were they escaping arrest, were they resisting and were there any inquests held; and does he take killing on this scale as lightly as this?
§ Mr. LytteltonNaturally no one takes lightly the killing of these people, even if they are criminals found with arms in their hands in prohibited areas who did not respond to the challenge.
§ Mr. PagetDoes the right hon. Gentleman say that these were criminals taken with arms in their hands? Has he investigated that and has he any statement to make with regard to it? Does he know, or is that a pure guess?
§ Mr. LytteltonThe hon. and learned Member must restrain himself. All that I have said was that I am not prepared to make a statement on the casualties inflicted on these terrorists.
Mr. DugdaleCan the right hon. Gentleman throw a little further light on 1223 the statement alleged to have been made by General Erskine recently that people were not to be beaten up in Kenya on racial grounds only?
§ Mr. LytteltonWhat reference that has to the Question on the Order Paper, I fail to see.