HC Deb 15 February 1962 vol 653 cc1498-9
12. Mr. Bidgood

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the speech made in Nairobi by Mr. Jomo Kenyatta on Sunday, 21st January, 1962, in which he threatened to send British and American Press reporters to jail, suggested expulsion from Kenya of those Europeans who declined to refer to Africans as bwana and said that after nine years' incarceration he himself had not changed, Her Majesty's Government will make it clear that they will not negotiate the future constitutional position of Kenya under duress or threats of intimidation and violence, and will exclude Mr. Kenyatta from any such negotiations.

Mr. Maudling

Reports about this speech are conflicting. Mr. Kenyatta is attending the Conference as head of the Kenya African National Union. I made it clear at the opening session yesterday that Her Majesty's Government deprecate speeches from any quarter which may increase the difficulties before us.

Mr. Bidgood

I appreciate that the last part of the Question may not apply, but may I ask my right hon. Friend to assure the House that those speaking for Her Majesty's Government in these long and difficult negotiations will have at the forefront of their minds our clear duty to protect the lives and property of Europeans and Asians in Kenya?

Mr. Callaghan

Of everybody.

Mr. Maudling

We have a clear and solemn duty towards the lives of all citizens in Kenya.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

Will the right hon. Gentleman do what he can to encourage all the delegations of all races at the Kenya Constitutional Conference to conduct their negotiations in the privacy of Lancaster House instead of in the publicity of the correspondence columns of The Times?

Mr. Maudling

Speaking as chairman of the Conference, I think that that may mean more work, but I should welcome it.

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