§ 16. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the expected cost of the new military base at Kahawa, Kenya; and to what extent the African elected members of the Legislative Council have been consulted about the project.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe construction of accommodation for British troops at Kahawa is expected to cost Her Majesty's Government between £2 million and £2½ million.
The establishment of this cantonment in Kenya is a link in the chain of Commonwealth defence, and is not a matter for consultations with elected members of any racial group in the Legislative Council, although of course the East African Governments are being kept fully informed.
§ Mr. StonehouseIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the widespread concern in Kenya about the establishment of this base, because, although the African people do not want Colonial Office rule to end at this time, it is feared that eventually the establishment of a defence base will be used as an excuse against self-determination, as in the case of Cyprus, and, perhaps, with the same disastrous results?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI venture to think that the hon. Gentleman has completely misjudged the local reaction to this matter.
§ Mr. WallIs not it a fact that the majority of people in Kenya welcome the establishment of this base as Kenya's contribution to the Commonwealth and also as affording a degree of stability to the whole Commonwealth?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydCertainly.