HC Deb 01 June 1965 vol 713 cc1489-90
11. Mr. Fisher

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will now announce the recommendations of the Stamp Mission on the future of the Land Settlement scheme in Kenya.

Mrs. Castle

I have received the interim report of the Stamp Mission and I have invited Kenya Ministers to London in the week beginning 26th July for a preliminary exchange of views on it. I hope that these discussions will form a basis for substantive talks later on when I have had the opportunity fully to consider the Mission's final report, which I expect to receive in July. As I indicated in my reply of 23rd February to a supplementary question by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall), the Mission's report will not be published.

Mr. Fisher

In considering the recommendations of the Stamp Mission, will the right hon. Lady bear in mind that there are many leaders of opinion, Euro- pean as well as African, in Kenya now who feel that the future land settlement scheme should be phased out for a somewhat longer period of between eight and ten years and that part of the money we provide should be made available for more productive development of the African areas?

Mrs. Castle

This is a matter which falls within the scope of the Stamp Report, and I shall therefore be considering it.

Mr. Turton

Although the right hon. Lady cannot publish the Report, will she make a statement of policy at an early date after she has considered it?

Mrs. Castle

I think that that would be quite the wrong way of proceeding. Clearly my first step must he to discuss the Report with the Kenya Ministers.