Constitutional Changes (Hansard, 18 February 1958)

§ 2. Mr. Brockway
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding plans for the implementation of the constitutional changes in Kenya.

§ 26. Mr. J. Johnson
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement upon the proposed measures for constitutional advance in Kenya.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
The White Paper announcing the decisions of the Government upon the powers, functions and composition of the Council of State and the method of nominating candidates for the specially elected seats was published last Thursday. I hope that these details will be carefully studied in Kenya, since I believe that, with the other decisions I have already announced, they constitute a coherent, workable and fair pattern of constitutional advance which should reassure all who have their homes in the territory.
Arrangements have now been made for the elections to be held in the six new African communal constituencies. Nomination day will be next Thursday, 20th February, and polling will take place over the week-end beginning 22nd March. I hope that the whole Constitution will be brought into force very soon thereafter by Order-in-Council.

§ Mr. Brockway
Whilst recognising that the right hon. Gentleman has gone a considerable way to meet the views of this side of the House on the Council of State, may I ask whether, in view of the continued African opposition to these constitutional changes, he will take steps to set a period within which they can be reviewed and also state the ultimate 1006 object of universal adult suffrage in that Colony?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
I think that these proposals ought to be given a fair trial and a substantial working period before they should be reviewed. As to the ultimate status of Kenya, I said when I was there recently that I could not foresee the date on which it would be possible for Her Majesty's Government to relinquish control over the territory. My own view is that, whatever its final evolution, the Constitution in Kenya must enable all who live there, of whatever race, to feel that they have an enduring rôle to play and see that the high standards set are maintained.

§ Mr. J. Johnson
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we on this side of the House have the utmost sympathy for more African participation in this Constitution and feel, unlike the Government Front Bench, that it should have gone further? Is he also aware that some of us feel that the Africans might at least have given this Constitution a trial? In the event of disappointment, which of course there might be, they might then be able to walk out and not be martyrs before the event as perhaps they might be at present.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
That is a very sensible view.

§ Mr. J. Griffiths
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we on this side of the House welcome these proposals, which are a very important advance, especially the abandoning of the old doctrine of parity? It is important that we should secure the co-operation of all Africans in this matter, and I think that this turns on the Council of State. In order to reassure the Africans further, so that they will co-operate as we all desire that they should do to make the Constitution a success, will the right hon. Gentleman again give an assurance, which I know is in the White Paper, that the ultimate control of Kenya and its destiny still rests with Her Majesty's Government and the Secretary of State?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for what he has said about these proposals. As to the latter part of his supplementary question, I can give him that assurance absolutely.

§ Sir R. Robinson
Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is the desire of my hon. Friends also that Africans in Kenya should follow the sensible advice given them from the other side of the House and try to make this compromise work?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
I am grateful to my hon. Friend.