HC Deb 08 May 1958 vol 587 cc1397-9
22. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action Her Majesty's Government proposes to end the constitutional deadlock in Kenya.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I think the hon. Member misunderstands the situation. While I very much hope that the African constituency elected Members will adjust their present attitude towards full participation in the Government, the Constitution is now at work and there is no deadlock.

Mr. Brockway

Is it not the right hon. Gentleman himself who misunderstands the situation in Kenya? Is not a very dangerous situation arising in which the African representatives, elected on a restricted franchise, which the right hon. Gentleman himself has limited, have declined to work the Constitution? Is not it bound to fail if the African population is opposed to it?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No, Sir. More Africans put themselves forward for the specially-elected seats than did members of any other race. I commend to the hon. Member the joint statement issued by those elected, of all races, which is more for the good of Kenya than any communal or partisan observations.

Mr. Callaghan

Is it, then, the view of the Colonial Secretary that, despite the non-election of Mr. Vasey because of the failure of the European Members to vote for him in sufficient numbers, and despite the opposition of the African elected Members, who are the only Members elected by the Africans themselves, he will be able in these circumstances to pursue the Constitution?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Yes, Sir. In regard to the defeat of Mr. Vasey, the hon. Member might have pointed out that, had the Africans taken part in the election, a different result might have ensued.

Mr. Callaghan

Is not this the whole point that the Colonial Secretary fails to understand? It was precisely because of Mr. Vasey's supposed support for African obectives that the Europeans voting together contrived to defeat him. Is not that wholly foreign to the whole of the right hon. Gentleman's intentions when he drew up the Constitution? That is the reason for my hon. Friend's question.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There is a later Question which will give me an opportunity of saying something about this. I must, however, point out that there were a certain number of people who felt that a Finance Minister in Kenya should not be returned by any form of electorate but should be a nominated Member. Some people felt like that and that may well have caused certain consequences in the voting.