§ 21. Mr. Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of continuing unrest, he will make a further statement on the political and security situation in Kenya.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Hugh Fraser)The new Legislative Council has been sitting for less than a month: during that period the new Government has shown its ability to govern and to maintain its 15 majority. In my overall assessment the disturbing features in the security situation are three: the problem of increasing crime, the theft of firearms and the increase of illegal oathings in two areas. Since a statement made by the Kenya Minister of Internal Securtiy and Defence was placed in the Library on 18th May, an oathing ceremony attended by some 500 Meru has been discovered. Security operations are now taking place in this area. My right hon. Friend has assured the Governor of his full support in any measures which he may consider necessary to maintain security in Kenya, and in that maintenance the Governor has of course at his disposal a large and efficient police force, far closer administration than ever before, experience of the previous outbreak and the determination of the mass of the people of all communities to avoid violence and a repetition of Kenya's tragic years.
§ Mr. CallaghanWhilst I think the whole House will welcome the meetings and the statements that have been made by political leaders in Kenya denouncing any return to the past, may I ask the Under-Secretary why he found it necessary to contradict the statement of the Minister of Internal Security about the state of public security in the territory?
§ Mr. FraserThat is not so. I consulted the Minister before I made my statement and I will place in the Library a copy of the broadcast I made in Kenya.
§ Mr. CallaghanHas not the Under-Secretary read the accounts of the results of his visit and the impression which he left upon the minds of people in the territory? Does he not think that when paying a visit in an attempt to allay unrest, if he should leave the impression in their minds that he and the Minister of Internal Security are not as one on this matter, so far from his visit being successful it would be far better if he had not gone?
§ Mr. FraserI thank the hon. Gentleman for what he has said in such a courteous way. I think, however, that it has been of some value that a Minister from this country should visit Kenya and should look at the security situation at first hand and get a proper appreciation of the problems which lie ahead.
§ Mr. WallWould my right hon. Friend not agree that the root cause of the unrest in Kenya lies in the question of land? Will he consider calling a conference between Europeans, Africans and Her Majesty's Government to consider the whole question of land title, both European and African?
§ Mr. FraserCertainly, the problem of land is basic to Kenya's economic and, indeed, political problems. I will consider what my hon. Friend has suggested.