§ 43. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to remove restrictions upon the residence and movement of ex-Senior Chief Koinange, Achieng Oneko and others who have been detained for over six years in Kenya after acquittal in the courts, of B. M. Kamau and others who have been detained without trial for a similar period, and of Jomo Kenyatta who has concluded the term of imprisonment to which he was sentenced.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe restrictions on the residence and movement of ex-Senior Chief Koinange, Achieng Oneko and B. M. Kamau will be removed when the Governor is satisfied that they are no longer necessary for the purpose of maintaining public order. The restriction of Jomo Kenyatta was specifically recommended by the Court which convicted him of managing and being a member of Mau Mau, and has no term.
§ Mr. BrockwayI do not know whether I heard the right hon. Gentleman aright. Is he aware that many of us will welcome the fact that the restrictions on the first three named people have been withdrawn?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo. There was a very welcome silence in the House when I gave my answer. I did not say that. I said that the restrictions on the residence and movement of ex-Senior Chief Koinange, Achieng Oneko and B. M. Kamau will be removed when the Governor is satisfied that they are no longer necessary for the purpose of maintaining public order. The restriction on Jomo Kenyatta was specifically recommended by the court which convicted him of managing and being a member of Mau Mau, and has no term.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that Chief Koinange, who is a very old man, could be released from these restrictions?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydHe is ninety years of age. The right hon. Gentleman knows the Kikuyu as well as I do, and he knows that that fact, if aything, adds to his influence among the Kikuyu. An acquittal on a specific charge of murder does not mean that his complete liberty of action can be restored without a threat to public order.
§ Mr. GriffithsI have made private representations about this matter. Surely it is now time for us to show some mercy in this case and to release this old man so as to allow him to live the last months or years of his life in quiet and peace?
§ Mr. WallDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that many Africans, including all Kikuyu loyalists, would be horrified at the idea of lifting the restrictions on Jomo Kenyatta?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThat consideration must be borne very carefully in mind.
§ Mr. BrockwayOn a point of order. It will be within your recollection Mr. Speaker, that I asked the right hon. Gentleman if I was correct in hearing what he said. He delivered his answer so rapidly that we could not hear him on these benches. In view of that fact, have I not a right to put a supplementary question?
§ Mr. SpeakerI thought that the hon. Member asked a supplementary question. I will ask him to ask one. Mr. Brockway.
§ Mr. BrockwayThank you, Mr. Speaker. In view of the fact that two of those people named in the Question have been acquitted in trials and nevertheless have been detained for six years; that the third has never been brought to trail at all, and that in the fourth case there is grave doubt whether perjury was not committed at the trial, will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the indefinite restrictions upon these individuals?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am sorry if I went too fast. I was endeavouring to answer all the questions asked of me. I am often accused of not answering as many as I should. Acquittal on specific charges does not mean that the liberty of certain 1084 people can be restored without there being a threat to public order. I have nothing to add to the answer that I have just given.
§ Mr. BrockwayIn view of that unsatisfactory answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the first opportunity on the Adjournment.