HC Deb 10 December 1963 vol 686 cc204-5
21. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the compensation terms offered to British ex-Service men who went to Kenya under the auspices of the European Agricultural Settlement Board.

Mr. Fisher

In the Second Reading debate on the Kenya Independence Bill. my right hon. Friend said that he had carefully studied the case of the British ex-Service men who went to Kenya under the auspices of the European Agricultural Settlement Board; but he was not convinced that it would be fair to single them out for special treatment more favourable than for the rest of the European farming community. He said that about one-third of the Settlement Board farmers could expect to be bought out under the existing land schemes and that many others might be helped under the measures which he then announced.

Mr. Henderson

Have not the Government a special obligation to these British ex-Service men who were encouraged to go to Kenya under the auspices of this scheme? Can we be assured that the Government are devoting the most sympathetic consideration to giving financial compensation to any of these ex-Service men who have to vacate their farms?

Mr. Fisher

I am very sympathetic in this matter, but all these people went of their own accord and I think that it would be invidious to give any one category special treatment. There is no legal case against the Kenya Government. On the moral question, I think that our obligation extends equally to all European farmers out there. On the right hon. and learned Gentleman's last point, I must honestly say that this is not intended to be a compensation scheme. It is intended to help Europeans if we possibly can, but it is an African land settlement scheme, not a compensation scheme for farmers.

Mr. Henderson

Surely the hon. Gentleman would agree that the Government of the day did not encourage civilians in the same way as they encouraged ex-Service men who served their country during the war to go to Kenya?

Mr. Fisher

I think that encouragement was given and that there is a moral obligation on us to help. We are trying to help, but I do not think there is any legal obligation. No guarantees were given, or anything of that sort, against hazards which might arise. I must ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman to bear in mind that the implications of a compensation scheme as such would be very wide and would go far beyond the confines of Kenya.

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