§ 44. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action it is proposed to take against named officers of the Special Branch in Kenya who were found to have committed acts of brutality towards detainees at Manyani, according to the report of the administrative inquiry conducted by Mr. A. P. Jack, Deputy Public Prosecutor.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThese allegations were made by one of the 94 witnesses interrogated by Mr. Jack while investigating 19 allegations by Mr. V. C. Shuter into conditions at Manyani, not a single one of which was established. They were made by one, uncorroborated witness and the Special Branch officers concerned, both of whom had left the service some time ago, were traced after the publication of Mr. Jack's report and denied them. Attempts to identify detainees who might have been concerned in the alleged events failed. In view of the lack of corroboration and conflict of evidence, legal proceedings have not been initiated.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that among the evidences of brutality were two authenticated instances, accepted by Mr. Jack, where detainees had been beaten with a rubber hose on the genitals by ex-officers of the Special Branch. Does he really say, in view of the fact that this evidence was accepted by Mr. Jack, that no action is to be taken?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo, Sir. I have nothing to add to the Answer which I have given. In fairness to the Government of Kenya, the hon. Gentleman ought to reflect that of 94 witnesses interrogated on 19 allegations, not a single one of the allegations made by Mr. Shuter was substantiated.