HC Deb 01 August 1956 vol 557 cc1387-8
47. Major Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the establishment of rehabilitation officers in Kenya and the number of permanent and temporary rehabilitation officers at present employed; and how many of the permanent officers are European, Asian and African, respectively.

Mr. Hare

The establishment of rehabilitation officers has recently been increased to 84. Eleven permanent and 61 temporary officers are at present employed; of the 11 permanent staff eight are European, three are African and none is Asian. There are, in addition, 126 African rehabilitation assistants against an establishment of 149.

Major Wall

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that this type of rehabilitation and welfare work is an excellent outlet for the educated African? Would he look into the possibility of increasing the permanent number of Africans in this welfare work?

Mr. Hare

I will certainly consider what my hon. and gallant Friend has said, but one hopes that the need for rehabilitation of the hard core of Mau Mau will be a decreasing and not an increasing need.