§ 3.17 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEhad given notice of his intention to ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish a White Paper setting out the emergency legislation at present in force in Kenya; and whether they will issue at suitable intervals statements showing the progress made in restoring public order in that Colony. The noble Viscount said: My Lords, I have on the Paper a Question relating to East Africa, and also a Motion. I should explain how that came about. It is a few days since I put the Question on the Paper. Then, over the week-end, matters became very urgent in East Africa, and finding a vacant place after my Question I put down the Motion. I am well aware that your Lordships do not like to have Motions presented to the House at short notice, but I must plead that it is not my fault but is due to the circumstances. But at least your Lordships were advised of the type of debate which we should have by the Question which I had already placed on the Paper. As a matter of 586 convenience, if I have your Lordships' consent, I will not ask my Question, but will hope to catch Sir Robert Overbury's eye and be called for the Motion.