HC Deb 20 June 1956 vol 554 c1414
28. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the constitutional reforms proposed by the European Elected Members of the Kenya Legislative Council.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the Member for Eton and Slough. (Mr. Fenner Brockway) on 25th April.

Mrs. Castle

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that African opinion in Kenya has been gravely disturbed by the nature of these proposals which have been put forward from the European representatives' side? If any such proposals are put to him, will he not insist that the prime need in the Kenya Legislative Council at the moment is for a relative increase in African representation and not merely an absolute one which is offset by an equal increase in European representation?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have all through made it clear that I do not propose to comment on the proposals put forward by any one section of the Legislative Council representatives, but I am prepared to consider agreed proposals, and only agreed proposals, put forward by representatives of all races on the Legislative Council. If such proposals are put forward, I will of course consider them.