HC Deb 03 May 1966 vol 727 cc1396-7
2. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement about the progress of discussions between the British and Kenya Governments regarding the continued valuation and purchase of British-owned farms for African resettlement.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development (Mr. Albert E. Oram)

As the hon. Member will recall from the statement which my right hon. Friend's predecessor placed in the Library of the House on 18th November last, a working party was set up after the talks with Kenya Ministers last November to recommend a method of valuation for purchases of agricultural land in Kenya from British loans. The working party, which consisted of representatives of both the British and Kenya Governments, presented its report in the middle of April; the report is now being considered by both Governments. The Kenya Government are now drawing up a programme for the purchase of mixed farms from funds provided by the British Government. The Kenya Ministers of Agriculture and of Finance discussed with my right hon. Friend their ideas for this when they were in London last week. Further discussions on the programme are continuing.

Mr. Wall

Is the joint Kenya Government-British Government team for the valuation of property now actually effective in Kenya?

Mr. Oram

It is this body which has reported, and it is that report which is being considered.

3. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement on the progress of the scheme for the purchase of property from compassionate cases in Kenya.

Mr. Oram

Under the current scheme, offers of purchase for farms have been accepted in 18 cases. The Kenya authorities are now engaged in valuing about 20 further cases. Unfortunately, valuation has been delayed due to shortage of staff, but I understand that this will be completed in the near future.

Mr. Wall

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of frustration at the delay taking place in implementing these schemes and there seems to be a lack of co-operation or co-ordination between the British Government and the Kenya Government? Will he look into this matter seriously, recognising that the valuations offered in compassionate cases are very low indeed?

Mr. Oram

I recognise that this is a difficult and complicated matter, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman does, too. I assure him that we have the interests of these compassionate cases very much at heart.

Mr. Maudling

Can the hon. Gentleman say what is the basis of valuation of the farms in the compassionate cases?

Mr. Oram

That is in the report which is now being considered. It has not yet been published.

Mr. John Hynd

Will my hon. Friend look into the question of what relationship there is between the prices which are being offered for these lands and the prices which the settlers originally paid for them?

Mr. Oram

I have no doubt that this is one of the factors which the working party will have taken into account.

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