HC Deb 22 February 1956 vol 549 cc371-2
40. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what Ordinance 1,000 Africans alleged to belong to the passive wing of Mau Mau in Nairobi and the emergency zone have been arrested; and what opportunity they will be given of answering the charge against them.

Mr. Hare

During the week ended 28th January, 927 Africans were arrested and charged before the courts for various offences including vagrancy, trespass, theft, offences against Emergency Regulations and offences against byelaws. Eighty-two Africans were arrested as Mau Mau suspects, of whom 77 were released, four are still under investigation, and one was made the subject of a detention order.

Mr. Brockway

While thanking the Minister for that Answer, may I ask him whether it is the case that a movement along non-violent lines is now developing in Kenya, and whether the Government will differentiate in their treatment of those who adopt non-violent methods and those who are concerned in Mau Mau atrocities?

Mr. Hare

I do not think that that is really quite part of the original Question. I should like, if I might, to make a detailed list of all the thousand cases, from which the hon. Gentleman will see the proportions. If I may, I will send it to him.

Mr. Brockway

I thank the Minister.

44. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Chege alias Kinyungu, son of Gakungu, Ngethe, son of Mutumbu, Kamau, son of Ngethe, Harrison, son of Kamau, and Wamungu, son of Karaungu, who were arrested in Nairobi on 25th August last and sent to Manyani detention camp, are still in detention; what charge has been brought against them; and what is the evidence on which it is based.

Mr. Hare

These men are detained on grounds of public security because of their complicity in Mau Mau activities. No charges have been preferred against them. The Advisory Committee on Detainees has reviewed their cases and has recommended that they remain in detention. The Governor has accepted this recommendation.

Mrs. Castle

As the military campaign against Mau Mau is now practically closed, and in view of the very suspicious circumstances concerning the arrest of these men, which I raised in this House on 21st December, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be advisable to have a public trial of men detained so recently instead of merely giving these vague and unproved grounds for their detention?

Mr. Hare

The evidence concerning the complicity in these Mau Mau activities was really sufficient to satisfy the Advisory Committee, who are under the chairmanship of a judge, and they were quite clear in their minds that there was every justification for detaining these men.

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