HC Deb 04 March 1953 vol 512 cc361-2
33. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will appoint a commission of women to go to Kenya to investigate the complaints made by 1,000 Kikuyu women in a petition, of which a copy has been sent to him.

Mr. Lyttelton

No, Sir. But I am asking the Governor for a report on these complaints.

Mrs. Castle

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, might I ask him whether he does not agree that the complaints made in this petition are sufficiently serious and urgent to warrant this sympathetic gesture being made on behalf of the women of this country?

Mr. Lyttelton

I assure the hon. Lady that I will not let this matter drop. There are no complaints of specific incidents in the so-called petition. As soon as I have got a report from the Governor, I will look at the matter again.

Mr. Alport

Would my right hon. Friend agree that it would be better to leave a matter such as this to the East African Women's League who represent women of all races in East Africa and who have a thorough knowledge of conditions on the spot?

Mr. Lyttelton

I want to get a little more information before I give any reply.

35. Miss Lee

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many women of the Kikuyu tribe have been subjected to collective punishment since the drive to stamp out Mau Mau activities began.

Mr. Lyttelton

One thousand and fifty-nine Kikuyu women from the Leshau Ward of the Laikipia District were returned to the Reserves. No other collective punishment has been directly applied to Kikuyu women.

Miss Lee

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that when these women are deprived of their normal source of income steps are taken so that at least they have shelter and sustenance?

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, Sir. During the course of their transfer back to the Reserve they have been in transit camps where the Government have looked after them. Measures are now being taken to see that they are not left in a condition of distress.

37. Miss Lee

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reports have been made to him regarding the treatment of Kikuyu women left without means of support owing to the confiscation of their property; what arrangements have been made to provide reasonable food and shelter for them and their children; and how many instances have been reported to him, or complaints made to him, to the effect that some of these women have been terrorised and beaten up by the police.

Mr. Lyttelton

None, Sir. No persons have been left without means of support and adequate arrangements have been made for food, shelter and transport. The only complaint I have received is the one mentioned in the question by the hon. Member for Blackburn, East (Mrs. Castle).

Miss Lee

is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that in the police camps, where I understand some of these Kikuyu women are working, they have been treated with reasonable decency?

Mr. Lyttelton

I am never satisfied about anything, but I have received no complaint. If the hon. Lady has some incident which she wishes to mention, I shall be glad to look into it.