HC Deb 09 March 1955 vol 538 cc430-1
37. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision is made to feed Africans when caged for screening in Kenya; what shelter is provided against rain; how far hooded interrogators are employed; and at what speed the individual screenings take place.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

A balanced diet, prescribed by the medical authorities, is provided for Africans held for screening. They live in huts or barracks. Hooded interrogators are employed infrequently. According to the circumstances of each case, screening may be a brief and simple process lasting a few minutes or long and complicated, involving exhaustive crosschecking of information.

Mr. Brockway

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have a letter in my hand from a British officer serving with the Forces who describes what happened at Nanyuki on 6th February? Is he aware that he states that Hundreds of men, women and children were in a stockade without shelter for 36 hours of continuous rain, with no food and a few drums of water. He states that they went past the hooded interrogators at one a minute, 1,000 being classed as black.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make an inquiry in that case?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Having already read that letter in last week's "Tribune," I was wondering when the hon. Gentleman was going to let me see it. I will certainly look into it.