HC Deb 04 June 1956 vol 553 cc712-4
52. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to state the number of persons executed in Kenya during each quarter since the declaration of the emergency and the offences for which they were sentenced.

The Minister of State for Colonial Affairs (Mr. John Hare)

As the reply contains a number of figures, with permission I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Brockway

Is it not the case that while rightfully there has been condemnation of two executions in Cyprus there have been more than 1,000 executions in Kenya, and that less than one-third of them have been for killing anyone? Is not that art appalling commentary on our administration there?

KENYA—EXECUTIONS
Period Offence Total Number of Executions each Quarter
Murder Unlawful Possession Consorting with Terrorists Administering Unlawful Oaths Furthering Terrorism* Demanding Supplies for Terrorists*
Non-Mau Mau Mau Mau of Firearms of Ammunition† and Explosives
1952—
4th Quarter 7 4 11
1953—
1st Quarter 1 19 20
2nd Quarter 3 6 9
3rd Quarter 17 17
4th Quarter 2 61 36 13 1 2 3 118
1954—
1st Quarter 1 38 38 14 22 2 2 117
2nd Quarter 7 49 42 16 46 8 1 2 171
3rd Quarter 6 24 70 21 84 16 2 223
4th Quarter 3 13 35 11 31 18 111
1955—
1st Quarter 1 4 24 6 29 64
2nd Quarter 5 22 37 5 5 2 76
3rd Quarter 1 14 20 4 3 4 46
4th Quarter 2 18 18 5 1 44
1956—
1st Quarter 17 8 17 2 44
TOTAL … 56 297 337 95 222 54 8 2 1,071
Offences marked * and † ceased to be capital offences with effect from 20th July, 1955, and 1st January, 1956, respectively.

Mr. Hare

I suggest that the hon. Gentleman examines my reply. I would also point out that Mau Mau caused 2,419 deaths by murder and wounded 1,543 people.

Following is the reply:

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