Kenya (Hansard, 2 February 1967)

§ 16. Mr. Wall
asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will publish a summary of the terms and conditions under which Her Majesty's Government grants and loans were made to the Government of Kenya for the Million Acre Scheme and the subsequent 400,000 Acre Scheme, respectively.

§ Mr. Bottomley
The terms of our financial assistance for both schemes are set out in the Civil Estimates Class II, 9. So far as the Million Acre Scheme is concerned, further information is contained in the 1962–63 annual report of the Settlement Fund Trustees of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. The 400,000 acre scheme has begun to be implemented, but the Memorandum of Understanding which sets out the detailed conditions governing this scheme has not yet been signed by the two Governments. As soon as this has taken place I will be glad to inform the hon. Member of the main points of this Memorandum.

§ Mr. Wall
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is upset over the terms of the valuation of both these schemes? Are these terms of valuation readily available to people in Kenya? Will he bear in mind that the Land Bank has been closed for six months, which makes the transfer of land extremely difficult?

§ Mr. Bottomley
I am told that the terms of valuation are available to the people in Kenya.

§ 17. Mr. Wall
asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement on the progress of compassionate land purchase schemes for British residents in Kenya.

§ Mr. Bottomley
As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead (Mr. Whitaker) on 18th October last—[Vol. 734: c. 30]—Her Majesty's Government have provided an interest-free loan to the Kenya Government to enable them to offer to purchase the farms of the remaining 18 outstanding cases. Six of these have so far accepted the offers. Nineteen of the previous round of cases have now accepted offers.

§ Mr. Wall
Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that as people get older, this becomes a continuing liability? Is a new scheme being worked out to compensate such people who may be security risks or who become infirm in the next few years, but who are not now on the list?

§ Mr. Bottomley
A new scheme has not been worked out, but there is provision for the consideration of compassionate cases.