HC Deb 27 July 1955 vol 544 cc1165-6
11. Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total acreage of the land which the Kenya Government recently confiscated from 3,097 rank and file Mau Mau and 324 Mau Mau leaders.

25. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement upon the confiscation of terrorists' land in Kenya.

Mr. Hopkinson

On 8th June, when it was announced that the surrender offer of 18th January would be withdrawn on 10th July, it was also announced that the Forfeiture of Lands Ordinance would be amended to provide a more effective procedure for depriving of their land and land rights those terrorists who failed to take advantage of the offer and continued to resist the forces of law and order. This was done and since 10th July Orders have been made against 324 Mau Mau leaders and 3,097 adherents. The boundaries of the land affected are identified after the Orders are made and the total acreage is not yet known. Forfeited land will be used for communal purposes.

Mr. Fernyhough

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this is creating a very dangerous precedent? Does he not appreciate that this is unadulterated Communism? Could he give the House an assurance, for the sake of the peace of mind of the landowners of this country, that Her Majesty's Government have no desire, either now or at any time in the future, to introduce a similar practice in this country?

Mr. Johnson

Is the Minister aware that in most cases boundaries do not exist on these holdings because, particularly among the Kikuyu, land is held in common land units? Is it therefore not a fiction to talk in those terms? Is he aware that many people think this is another punitive action against the Kikuyu gangsters? Is he aware that since May, 1952, since the gangsters went into the forests, the women have been tending these holdings and that he will punish women and children by taking the land? Is he aware that much of the land is fallow? Is not it just a fiction to talk in these terms of confiscating these alleged holdings?

Mr. Hopkinson

This is an extension of a previous practice which was introduced last year—that of the forfeiture or setting aside of land of persons who have been convicted of certain offences. The Government of Kenya believe that it will reinforce the effect of the announcement of the withdrawal of the surrender offer. It is the case that many of these persons do not possess individual holdings, and they will lose their rights in the planned or commonly held land. The deterrent effect of this measure is expected to be very considerable.

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