§ 12. Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans are detained at the present time in detention camps in Kenya.
§ Mr. LytteltonOn 5th June, there were 6,741 persons detained on detention orders, and 6,937 in works camps on Restriction of Movement Orders. In addition, 22,553 persons were held for screening and classification on short-term detention orders as a result of operation "Anvil," in Nairobi.
§ Mr. FernyhoughCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the prisoners are held indefinitely? If they are held indefinitely without being brought to trial, what is the moral difference between this so-called detention camp which is called civilised and democratic, and concentration camps in Germany?
§ Mr. LytteltonThe hon. Member has not understood my answer. I said that 22,000 out of the whole are held only on short detention for screening. Those held on permanent detention orders are held at the disposal of the Government and there is an advisory committee to which detainees, if that is the right word, can apply. A very careful consideration is given to every representation that is made.
§ Mr. StokesCan the Minister say how many of these committees of reference now exist and how long it will take for them to get through these 22,000 detainees? When I was there recently I reckoned that it would take about nine years.
§ Mr. LytteltonIt should be done within six months. There was originally one, and there are now two.
§ Mr. E. WakefieldWould not it contribute greatly to the general understanding in this House of the function of detention camps and of the value of screening if the Report of Dr. Carothers were made more easily available? Could it be made available at the Vote Office?
§ Mr. LytteltonI will certainly consider that suggestion. I think that a copy of it is already in the Library.
§ 14. Mr. Haleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how long the ex-senior Chief, Koinange, has been detained since his acquittal by a competent court; whether any charge has been preferred against him; and what are the present reasons for the detention without trial of an ex-chief now nearly 90 years of age.
§ Mr. LytteltonHe has been detained since 31st January, 1953, for reasons of public security. No charge has since been preferred against him.
§ Mr. HaleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a Christian chief of the Kikuyu people of nearly 90 years of age against whom no charge has been preferred, or against whom there was one charge which was dismissed without calling upon him for the defence and that he has now been in prison for 12 months? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that now that this emergency has spread to the Wakamba and Masai tribes he might at least call on the Kikuyu chieftains to try to exercise their influence on the Kikuyu?
§ Mr. LytteltonThis chief was subject to some very bad influences. He appealed against his detention to the Advisory Committee on Detainees and they recommended that on the ground of public security he should not be release before the end of the emergency, and I stand by that decision.