HC Deb 20 October 1954 vol 531 c1193
54. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he will appoint the committee for investigation into the best methods of electing the African Members of the Kenya Legislative Council.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

On 12th October the Governor of Kenya announced the appointment of Mr. Coutts to investigate and advise on the methods to be adopted in choosing African representative members for the Legislative Council in Kenya. The African Member of the Legislative Council for each area and two other local Africans to be nominated by the Provincial Commissioner will be invited to be associated with him in the investigation of their area. Mr. Coutts will begin this work early in 1955 and should complete it within six months.

Mr. Johnson

While welcoming this step forward, could the right hon. Gentleman consider appointing a distinguished West Indian or a distinguished African from the West Coast on to this Committee to help in this very important task along with Mr. Coutts?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I think that we can rely on the African Members of the Legislative Council in each area to advise about their own territory.