§ 16. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action was taken by the Governor on the representation made to him by Mr. S. A. Morrison, secretary of the Christian Council of Kenya, regarding conditions in detention camps in the Colony.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydSince early in 1955 there have been meetings, as and when requested by the Christian Council of Kenya, between the Governor and representatives of the Council, including Mr. Morrison, to discuss any representations 473 they wished to make on matters connected with the emergency. The Council has on occasion raised specific issues connected with detention camps but has made no representations on this subject since October, 1955. I am informed that the Council representatives are satisfied that on all the matters they have raised there has been a full investigation by the Kenya Government and that action has been taken where shown to be necessary.
§ Mr. BrockwayMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not the fact that in October, 1955, Mr. Morrison made charges very similar to those which have now been made by Miss Fletcher? In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has appealed to Mr. Morrison as some evidence in the case of Miss Fletcher, will he not ask for this report to be in his hands so that he can investigate those charges, made more than eighteen months ago?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNaturally I saw the report at the time and spoke to Mr. Morrison about it. The difference between Mr. Morrison and Miss Fletcher is that when he knows that remedial action is being taken, Mr. Morrison says so publicly, but Miss Fletcher repeats charges which might have had some substance of truth in them some time ago but in many cases are wholly untrue today. The Answer that I have given was approved by Mr. Morrison and, within the last thirty-six hours, by Bishop Beecher as well.
§ Mr. BevanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he read the Press of the country, especially, very often, the Press which supports the party opposite, he would discover that these newspapers now state that he has been grossly misinformed about the facts in Kenya?
§ 41. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action was taken on representations made by Miss Eileen Fletcher whilst rehabilitation officer in Kenya to superior officers in reports on Narok camp, dated 5th January, 1955, Langata camp, dated 23rd December, 1954, Gilgil camp, dated 12th February, 1954, and in her progress report, dated January, 1955, and in other reports to the commandant which complained among other things of the presence of unaccompanied children of 474 four years and seven years of age in detention camps, absence of blankets, risk of Mau Mau contamination through inadequate segregation, the employment of juvenile girls in breaking stones, and instances of brutality.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am examining Miss Fletcher's published statements in the light of comments she has made on them in discussions at the Colonial Office. I am also examining in this connection copies of Miss Fletcher's reports and the comments of the Government of Kenya. As I have already stated, I will make appropriate arrangements to let hon. Members have access to all this information when it has been completely assembled.
§ Mr. BrockwayIn view of the large number of reports in which Miss Fletcher made her complaint to the appropriate authority in Kenya, will the Colonial Secretary now withdraw his statement in the House on 6th June that there is no record whatsoever of her ever having brought to the notice of the Ministry which employed her the alleged conditions of which she now complains?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI think that the hon. Member had better wait and see when the material is presented. I think that he will be rather surprised.