HC Deb 08 December 1954 vol 535 cc941-2
21. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans have been executed in Kenya during the months September, October, and November, 1954, respectively; and how many of these were sentenced to death on the charge of killing another person or persons.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Alan Lennox-Boyd)

In the four-week periods ended 1st October, 29th October and 26th November, 52, 35 and 56 respectively, of whom seven, three and 10 respectively were sentenced for murder.

Mr. Brockway

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many people will be shocked by the reply which he has just given? Does it not indicate that about a quarter of those who have been executed have been charged with murder? Will the right hon. Gentleman speed up the modification of the penalties which he has indicated to the House so that we may have some moral authority to denounce the more excessive atrocities by Mau Mau?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

In reply to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I have nothing to add to what I said to him on 1st November. In reply to the second part, I have said that murder represents a certain proportion of the figures, but the unlawful possession of arms, and particularly of ammunition, which the murderers cannot themselves manufacture, is rightly a capital offence.

Mr. Brockway

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that with the animosities which there now are in Kenya it is very easy for ammunition to be placed, not by security forces but by others, in the huts of those to whom they are antagonistic? Have there not been cases of that character?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

That danger is always possible, and because of that extreme care is taken, and no one is brought to trial unless there is evidence that he is an active terrorist or a helper of terrorists. I wish that the hon. Gentleman, when rightly quoting and deploring these inevitable figures, would also quote the fact that since the beginning of the emergency 1,319 civilians, of whom 1,272 were Africans, have been brutally murdered.

Mr. Brockway

On a point of order. In view of that last remark, might I be permitted to say—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—I am making the point to Mr. Speaker—that I never speak on this subject without denouncing the atrocities of Mau Mau?

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