HC Deb 04 March 1953 vol 512 cc359-60
16. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many people of Kenya up to date have been arrested in connection with the disturbances there; how many have been screened and tried or released, respectively; how many are now in custody; and where the latter are.

Mr. Lyttelton

2,249 persons are now in custody awaiting trial—1,228 in police custody, 735 in prison and 286 in remand homes. This figure is reached as follows: Between 20th October, 1952, and 25th February, 1953, 61,907 persons were arrested, but 3,043 were released immediately after preliminary questions. 58,864 were screened, and of these 39,002 have been released and 17,613 have been tried.

Mr. Hughes

Whilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that detailed and comprehensive reply, may I ask whether his methods of screening are having any appreciable effect in promoting a peaceful settlement in Kenya?

Mr. Lyttelton

I should imagine that the enforcement of law always has an effect upon the conditions of law.

Mr. Hughes

Has the right hon. Gentleman any evidence that his methods are having the effect which he and all of us desire?

Mr. Lyttelton

I do not understand what the hon. and learned Member means by "my methods." These are methods of enforcing the law of the country.

47. Mrs. White

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of tribes, other than Kikuyu, have been sentenced or detained as a result of recent disturbances; and to which other tribes have they belonged.

Mr. Lyttelton

Five Meru, five Embu, five Akamba, one Luo, one Mdigo and one Rabai have been detained, and 15 Meru and one Luo have been sentenced to imprisonment for Mau Mau offences.

Mrs. White

Are we to take it from that reply that, broadly speaking, Mau Mau is making no progress among tribes other than the Kikuyu?

Mr. Lyttelton

I think the hon. Lady must draw her own deductions from the information which I have given.

Mr. Baldwin

Has my right hon. Friend seen the report in "The Times" this morning in which Chief Simeon Kioko, speaking on behalf of 400,000 Kamba, stated that he utterly condemned Mau Mau and would have nothing to do with it? In view of the fact that this reserve is much more overcrowded than the Kikuyu reserve, may I ask him if he will give instructions to expedite the resettlement at Makueni for the Kamba, in order that the loyal people in Kenya can see that it pays dividends to be loyal?