§ 14. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Kenya about that Government's legislation discriminating against the employment in Kenya of British subjects of Asian origin.
§ 21. Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware that Indian residents of Kenya holding British passports are now emigrating to this country; and if he will start discussions with the Kenya Government, with a view to alleviating the problems that give rise to this emigration.
§ Mr. George ThomsonAs my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary explained in the House on 27th February, discussions have been taking place with the Kenya Government for some time 217 and we shall, of course, continue to consult them on this difficult subject. The Kenyan legislation distinguishes between Kenya citizens of all races and non-citizens resident in that country.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWithout wishing to embarrass those very important negotiations, can I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the representations made by Her Majesty's Government include the suggestion that the Kenyan Government might well give some reassurance to a number of very worried people who have served Kenya and its economy very well indeed?
§ Mr. ThomsonI appreciate the motives behind the right hon. Gentleman's question. I think that the less I say about the actual content of the present discussions the more likely we are to have the kind of conclusion that both he and I would wish.
§ Mr. BiffenCan the right hon. Gentlehan say at this juncture whether he hopes to be able to report to the House within the next three or four weeks, say, the outcome of these discussions? Would he, in the most temperate and constructive fashion possible, take the opportunity to remind Kenya that she is a major recipient of British aid?
§ Mr. ThomsonI think that probably the best way in which we will be able to judge the results of what will be continuing consultations through diplomatic channels between Kenya and ourselves will be from the way the problem of the Asian emigrants from Kenya works out.
§ Mr. FortescueAre the Government continuing to issue United Kingdom passports to British subjects of Asian origin in Kenya?
§ Mr. ThomsonThat is primarily a question for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, but the right of people who are qualified to have British passports has not been interfered with by the legislation the House has recently passed.