§ 30. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement on the steps which have been taken up to date to bring peace to Kenya; and the measure of success they have achieved.
§ 43. Sir R. Aclandasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on recent developments in Kenya and particularly upon the official announcement by Mr. Michael Blundell that a Christian offensive was being planned by the Administration with the aid of the missions.
§ Mr. LytteltonI have nothing to add at present to the recent statements made on the general situation in Kenya, but I hope to make a further statement in two or three weeks' time, after discussions have been concluded with the Commander-in-Chief and the Kenya Minister for Finance.
1940 The Kenya Government have always recognised the vital part the Church has to play in rehabilitation, and new schemes for combined action are being considered by a working party under the chairmanship of the Minister for Community Development (Mr. Ohanga).
§ Mr. HughesWhile I thank the Minister for that answer, will he say what is being done in the meantime in a longterm sense for the purpose of solving the social, economic and educational problems out of which the present troubles in Kenya sprang?
§ Mr. LytteltonI have given repeated answers on this subject to both the hon. and learned Gentleman and the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson), and I can only refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to those answers again.
§ Sir R. AclandIn connection with the proposed Christian offensive, has the Minister noticed in the Carruthers' Report, called for by the deputation of six M.P.s, the statement that if in general the white population in the Colony cannot practice Christian principles in their dealings with their fellowmen, the missionaries might as well pack up their bags and go? In the three weeks before the right hon. Gentleman makes his next statement, will he consider how he can say something to bring home to the white people there that they need to undergo a profound change of heart if that country is not to end in absolute tragedy and disaster?
§ Mr. LytteltonI subscribe to the general principle that if all people followed the Christian ethic more closely it would be to the advantage of everybody.
§ Sir R. AclandThat kind of cynical remark will not do.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the acting President of the Kenya African Union, Mr. Odede, said that he would like to be released from detention in order to aid the campaign against Mau-Mau. In his further considerations, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the possibility of the release of this gentleman?
§ Mr. LytteltonAll relevant considerations will have my attention.
§ Sir H. WilliamsWill my right hon. Friend tell me what he understands to be the meaning of the stupid phrase "working party," which was invented by the late Sir Stafford Cripps?
§ Mr. LytteltonA party which does a good deal of work.