HC Deb 23 May 1962 vol 660 cc424-5
22. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for War what his plans are for training troops in Kenya.

Mr. Profumo

Kenya is a valuable training area and so long as troops are stationed there they will continue to make use of it for their normal training. Obviously, any arrangements for the British Army to train in the country after independence will depend on agreement being reached with the Government of Kenya, and it is too early for me to comment on that possibility.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it true that there is to be an increased concentration of troops for training in Kenya? Should that be so, is it not very desirable that we should not experience any difficulty as a result of the new dispensation and that therefore we must be extremely careful that we have their consent?

Mr. Profumo

I apologise to the right hon. Gentleman. I did not catch the first part of his supplementary question, which made the whole point.

Mr. Shinwell

I asked, is it true that there is to be an increased concentration of troops in Kenya for training purposes?

Mr. Profumo

No. I am not aware of any increased concentration in the training of troops in Kenya. What I said represents what we hope to do at present. We hope to go on training in Kenya which, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, is a very valuable area.

Mr. F. Harris

Will my right hon. Friend take into account that it is very much in the long-term interests of people of all races in Kenya—I repeat of all races—that these bases and our troops should remain there as long as possible; and that it is particularly to the long-term benefit of the economy of Kenya?

Mr. Profumo

I hope that my hon. Friend will understand if I do not comment on the political aspects. I should prefer not to go further than to say what I have in answer to the Question.