HC Deb 11 December 1962 vol 669 cc185-7
5. Mr. Healey

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the resignation of the Governor of Kenya.

Mr. Sandys

As has already been explained, my predecessor informed the Governor some time ago that, in the final stage of Kenya's advance to independence, it was proposed to replace him by a man with political experience of a wider character. It took some time to find an available person with the necessary qualifications. But last September I was fortunate in securing Mr. Malcolm Macdonald's acceptance of the appointment. I am glad of this opportunity to express once again my appreciation of Sir Patrick Renison's distinguished service in Kenya and in other posts.

Mr. Healey

While welcoming the fact that Mr. Malcolm Macdonald has agreed to accept this very onerous responsibility, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of us are disturbed at the suggestion that administrative ability alone was an adequate qualification for the governorship in Kenya for the last year or so? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us are disturbed by reports, emanating apparently from the Governor himself, that there is disagreement between them on the pace of advance towards the elections in Kenya? Most of my hon. Friends believe that it is vitally necessary that the elections should be held in Kenya as soon as is absolutely possible, because the present uncertainty is damaging to every community in the area.

Mr. Sandys

Regarding administration, the House knows that Mr. Malcolm Macdonald has had very extensive administrative experience, though he has not served in Africa.

Mr. Healey

I was talking about the political qualifications of the previous Governor.

Mr. Sandys

I allowed the hon. Member to put his supplementary question without interruption. I hope he will allow me to answer him in the same way. I was going to say that, of course, administrative experience is of great importance, but, in addition, Mr. Macdonald has proved himself outstanding as a conciliator and peacemaker and I believe that these qualities may prove to be very valuable in the state of intertribal tension which now exists in Kenya. I do not believe there is any basis whatever for the hon. Member's remark that, emanating from the Governor, there have been rumours that the change in governorship has been due to differences of opinion on policy. As I explained, this change was announced to the Governor many months ago by my predecessor, and I am glad to have this opportunity today to make it quite clear that I fully share the hon. Member's feelings that the urgent and important issue now in Kenya is to get on and to get ourselves into a position to hold elections at the first possible moment.

Mr. Turton

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the change-over of Governor at this critical time will not increase delay over administrative decisions, bearing in mind the fact that there have been complaints in Kenya of a certain amount of delay?

Mr. Sandys

I can certainly give my right hon. Friend that assurance. There will be no delay. Those who complain of delay I think underrate the magnitude of the task of drafting the new constitution, about which I will have something to say in reply to a later Question.

Mr. Healey

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the main complaint, both in and out of Kenya, has been about the extraordinarily dilatory nature of the Government's decisions to appoint the various commissions which must report before the elections are held? The Commission on the Northern Frontier district, for example, was not appointed until October, although the requirement of the Commission was announced in the spring. In view of his apparent desire to have elections held as early as possible, can he say whether he is yet in a position to state when the elections may be held?

Mr. Sandys

I cannot say when the elections will be held. All I can say is that it is my firm objective to see the necessary preparations—which must be made before the election can be held, including the completion of the new constitution—expedited as soon as possible.

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