HC Deb 13 April 1965 vol 710 cc1134-6
5. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what proposals she has for continued financial support for resettlement schemes on small European mixed farms in Kenya.

Mrs. Castle

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 30th March to which I have nothing to add at present.

Mr. Wall

I thank the right hon. Lady for her reply last week. May I ask her to bear in mind the special claim of the agricultural settlement trust farmers, for whom I believe all Governments have a special moral responsibility, particularly in view of the fact that it seems likely that trust lands may be excluded from any future resettlement scheme?

Mrs. Castle

I will bear that in mind when I have the report in front of me.

Mr. Sandys

Does the right hon. Lady realise the great importance of making a firm statement as soon as possible to remove the tremendous uncertainty and anxiety which exists among British farmers in Kenya?

Mrs. Castle

I appreciate that. As I said in my reply of 6th April, the Mission's full report is not likely to be ready until June. There is a mass of detailed material which it is essential it should have time to assimilate and evaluate. However, it hopes to let me have an interim report by the end of April or May.

Mr. Sandys

Does that mean that the Minister hopes to be able to act on the interim report, or shall we have to wait until July or August until any policy decision is taken?

Mrs. Castle

I should like to wait to see the interim report, but clearly once I have a report, whether it be an interim report or the final report, I shall have to enter into discussions with the Kenya Government on the basis of the report.

Mr. Sandys

The interim report?

Mrs. Castle

As I say, I have no idea what the scope of the interim report will be. But I do not think that I can hold out any hope to the House that I shall be able to announce specific action until later in the year.

10. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how much financial help has been given to assist compassionate cases in Kenya for the six months prior to October, 1964, and the six months after, respectively; how many cases remain to be dealt with; and what assistance she proposes to make available.

Mrs. Castle

A sum of £661,000 was provided to the Kenya Government in March, 1964, for the purchase of farms belonging to compassionate cases in the period from July, 1963, to June, 1964. As I informed the hon. Gentleman on 27th November, 1964, we have agreed to provide additional funds and the British High Commission in Nairobi is currently studying each individual case on its merits, and has already sent me progress reports in some detail. I am not yet able to say how many further cases will qualify for assistance and what sum will be involved, but the question is being pursued as a matter of urgency.

Mr. Wall

Is the Minister aware that the last Government gave over £1 million for these purposes? How much does the right hon. Lady expect to be able to make available? Will she appreciate that these people are ageing, that they include a number of war-wounded and that they have no hope of selling their farms unless the British Government are able to provide financial help?

Mrs. Castle

I am aware of the difficulties of these cases, but, as I said at the time, we are prepared to make an appropriate sum available. Clearly, its size must depend upon the examination of individual applications by our authorities.