HC Deb 05 May 1960 vol 622 cc1235-6
13. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the official report on Mau Mau in Kenya will be published.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Mr. Corfield hopes to complete the editing of his historical survey of the origins and growth of Mau Mau today or tomorrow. In view of the importance of the subject, I am arranging for it to be published as a Command Paper. This will inevitably mean a delay beyond what would be necessary for its publication in Kenya alone, but I hope that it will be available before the end of the month.

Mr. Stonehouse

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen reports that the original version of the Corfield's Report included allegations that certain hon. Members had in some way been associated with Mau Mau? Will he assure the House that when it is produced the White Paper will be a full, uncensored version, so that the Members concerned will have a full opportunity of replying to the unwarranted sneers and innuendoes?

Mr. Macleod

I think that the hon. Member had better wait to read it before he makes observations of that sort. The position is, as the Attorney-General in Kenya made clear, that Mr. Corfield is doing the editing and any changes made will be only in agreement with the Attorney-General. There is no question whatever of modifying the strength of the Report, either against individuals or against the Mau Mau movement itself. As the Attorney-General made dear, it is only on matters such as organisation of intelligence and the names of witnesses that Mr. Corfield is undertaking the editing mentioned.

Dame Irene Ward

When the Report is published, does my right hon. Friend intend to release for publication the evidence on Mau Mau, which evidence was previously restricted to the Library of the House of Commons? Is he aware that the decision, because of its horrors, to restrict that evidence to the Library of the House did not permit the public to know the detestation of Mau Mau which is felt by most people who know anything about it?

Mr. Macleod

I think that my hon. Friend will find that many of these matters are covered in the Corfield Report. Perhaps I should make it clear that the Corfild Report is not something related in any way to any recent events which may have taken place, but was called for by the Legislative Council in Kenya in December, 1955, and has taken four years' preparation.