§ 26. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the situation in Kenya, in the light of the decision regarding the continued detention of Jomo Kenyatta.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe Governor is now engaged in preliminary discussions pending the formation of a Government, and in those circumstances I do not consider that I can usefully make a statement.
§ Mr. ThomsonI appreciate the Secretary of State's difficulties, but would not he bear in mind the advantages of taking a definite decision on a difficult problem like this? In any case, would not he consider accepting the invitation made by him to Mr. Gichuru to visit Kenya during his coming trip to East Africa?
§ Mr. MacleodI am going to Tanganyika in a few days, and I will be passing through Nairobi both going and coming hack. However, I should not like the hon. Gentleman to think from that that I would interfere in any way with the Governor's very difficult task in forming a Government. What we all hope will happen is that a strong and stable Government will be formed. I am sure that that is the wish of all hon. Members on both sides of the House. It would be very good for Kenya if that could happen. The admirable way in which the elections were conducted gives one hope that it may still be possible to achieve that.