HC Deb 21 July 1964 vol 699 cc247-9
2. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will now state the further proposals agreed with the Kenya Government for financial assistance in dealing with the problem of mixed farming areas, in addition to the present land settlement programme under which farms in selected areas are purchased from Europeans to provide smallholdings for Africans.

4. Mr. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will make a statement on the review of the Million Acre Scheme in Kenya.

18. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will now make a statement about the future of the Million Acre Resettlement Scheme in Kenya and the amount of additional financial support Great Britain will be contributing.

22. Sir H. Oakshott

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether he will now make a further statement about assistance in dealing with mixed farming areas in Kenya, in addition to the farms being dealt with under the present land settlement programme.

33. Mr. Turton

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether he is aware that there is much land outside the Million Acre Resettlement Scheme in Kenya suitable for resettlement; and whether he will introduce proposals for an extension of the scheme.

Mr. Sandys

Consideration of this difficult question is proceeding. I am having further discussions about it with Kenya Ministers in London this week.

Sir A. Hurd

May we take it that Ministers in Kenya are agreed with Her Majesty's Ministers here that the problem of the European mixed farms is an urgent one and should be solved as soon as possible? Does my right hon. Friend hope to make a statement before the House rises for the Summer Recess?

Mr. Sandys

I hope that we may be able to reach some conclusion before the Recess, in which case I will see that the House is informed.

Mr. Wall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the decision on the Ol Kalu salient has been pending for a long time and that there are at least 100 additional compassionate cases which should be assisted to leave Kenya? Will he give consideration to this matter as well as to phase 2 of the Million Acre Scheme?

Mr. Sandys

Yes, Sir.

Sir H. Oakshott

Will my right hon. Friend accept, in his efforts to reach a satisfactory conclusion in what is really a very difficult and also a very urgent problem, that he will command very wide support? Does my right hon. Friend realise that what most of us have in mind is the provision of some scheme in the interests of Kenya which will induce people to stay in the country and not leave it?

Mr. Sandys

I recognise the urgency of this matter, and I agree with my hon. Friend's last remark.

Mr. Turton

Does my right hon. Friend realise that a month ago he told us that he was considering these proposals, and that the delay is doing incalculable harm both to the economy of Kenya and to the position of European mixed farmers who are uncertain about their future? Will he get an early decision on this matter?

Mr. Sandys

Yes, Sir, I certainly will.

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