HC Deb 02 May 1961 vol 639 cc1105-6
10. Commander Kerans

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the majority of the Members of this House have received a printed document purporting to contain the oaths taken by the Mau-Mau in Kenya; and whether Her Majesty's Stationery Office have granted permission to any person to publish extracts from the confidential appendix to Command Paper No. 9081, a Report to the Secretary of State for the Colonies from the Parliamentary Delegation to Kenya, 1954, which contained details of Mau-Mau ceremonies.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I understand that a document as described has been circulated to a number of Members. Permission was not sought for the inclusion in the document of extracts from the confidential appendix to Command Paper No. 9081. The authors' claim that the information was obtained from another source is being investigated.

Commander Kerans

Would not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that this publication should have a much wider distribution in this country so that, instead of some people raving for the release of Kenyatta, the public should be made aware of what happened in the past?

Mr. Lloyd

I think that that is really a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies rather than for me.

Mr. Brockway

Is the Chancellor aware that this document is being sent to civic authorities and mayors of towns, but that there is no evidence whatsoever that Jomo Kenyatta was responsible—[Interruption]—for the obscene and indecent oaths contained in the document?

Mr. Speaker

That cannot be a question for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the Chancellor make it quite plain that the Government do not condone the circulation of this document?

Hon. Members

Why not?

Mr. Lloyd

All I am concerned with here as Chancellor of the Exchequer is the question of copyright.

Mr. H. Wilson

Would not the Chancellor see whether the cost of the operation is not being offset for tax purposes against profits by this organisation? There is far too much of this propaganda and publicity being done—

Mr. Hirst

What is the right hon. Gentleman afraid of?

Mr. Wilson

I am afraid of the Chancellor having to pay the cost of a lot of propaganda which, if people want to circulate it, they should pay for themselves. In view of that, will the Chancellor see whether he is, in fact, paying for this?

Mr. Lloyd

I think that this Question deals with copyright, and not with these other matters.