HC Deb 04 May 1961 vol 639 cc1585-7
30. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement about the formation of a Government in Kenya and the allocation of ministerial posts between elected and nominated members of the Legislative Council.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I will, with permission, circulate the list of the new Ministers so far appointed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hurd

Will my right hon. Friend convey to the Governor of Kenya, Sir Patrick Renison, our appreciation of his efforts to form a responsible Government from all races? Will he also tell him of our determination here to give full support to the Government in maintaining law and order and in carrying out urgently needed development in land settlement and education so that confidence in the future of Kenya may be maintained?

Mr. Macleod

I very much agree with all the points my hon. Friend has made and particularly with his tribute to Sir Patrick Renison in what has been a difficult task over the past few weeks.

Mr. Callaghan

While no one wishes to make the task of the new Governor more difficult, may I ask whether we ought not to be careful in the House about appearing to side with a Government against a political party in a territory, especially when the Government concerned is a minority party?

Mr. Macleod

On the contrary, I do not regard this in any way as a minority Government. It is unquestionably the strongest cohesive bloc there is in the Legislative Council in Kenya and there is no question of this or any side of the House siding with any particular party. But the other African party to which the hon. Member refers was invited first, by virtue of its size, and rightly so, to form a Government but when it declined, for whatever reason, the Governor was unquestionably right to form a Government of all races based on the alternative.

Following is the list:

The following elected members of the Legislative Council have been appointed to Ministerial posts:

Mr. R. G. Ngala, Minister for Education.

Mr. M. Muliro, Minister for Commerce, Industry and Communications.

Mr. T. Towett, Minister for Labour and Housing.

Mr. W. B. Havelock, Minister for Local Government and Lands.

Mr. P. D. Marrian, Minister for Tourism, Forests and Wild Life.

Mr. A. Jamidar, Minister for Works.

The following appointments of ex officio members have been made:

Sir Walter Coutts, Chief Secretary.

Mr. E. N. Griffith-Jones, Minister for Legal Affairs.

Mr. K. W. S. Mackenzie, Minister for Finance and Development

Mr. A. C. C. Swann, Minister for Internal Security and Defence.

Mr. R. J. M. Swynnerton and Mr. M. N. Evans have been appointed Temporary Ministers for Agriculture and Health respectively, pending the appointment of elected members of Legislative Council to these offices.

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