Proposed Council of State

HC Deb 03 December 1957 vol 579 c195

11. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the powers, functions and composition of the proposed Council of State in Kenya.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I cannot add at present to the replies which I gave on 14th November.

Mrs. Castle

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his proposal for a Council of State has caused widespread alarm among the African community in Kenya and among liberal European opinion and that there is grave fear that such a Council of State, with powers of reference, revision and delay, could act as a stumbling block to the development of multi-racialism? Will he make a statement very quickly to allay those fears?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Far from acting as a stumbling block, I hope that the Council will assist the development of multiracialism. I ask the hon. Lady to wait until we formulate the proposals which I shall then be very glad to discuss.