HL Deb 28 October 1953 vol 183 cc1456-60

4.43 p.m.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, perhaps I may interrupt the proceedings of the House for a few moments in order to make a statement on Kenya similar to that made in another place by my right honourable friend this afternoon. The statement reads as follows:

"To-day, the situation in Kenya is much better than I feared it might be, but it certainly falls short of what I hoped it could be. It is still one of danger, but it is improving. The main areas of the Kikuyu Reserve, except part of Nyeri, show solid progress. So does the Rift Valley. In most areas security is once again the responsibility of the civil administration and police. Success against the gangs causes some transfer of the trouble to other areas. This tendency has led some terrorists to fly from the Aberdares to the Mount Kenya area, and to Embu and Meru. It partially explains events in Nairobi, where some of the gangsters have taken refuge.

"The Government of Kenya have made Nairobi into a special police district, with a Commissioner of Police for Nairobi, and are increasing the number of administrative officers in the city. Some drastic action has had to be taken, but it has received the spontaneous approval of leading Africans. The Kikuyu reserves are being more closely administered; in the Fort Hall area, for example, there are six district officers where there used to be two. By the end of the year the expansion of the police should relieve the Army of their present police duties, and make it possible to keep the police much longer in districts where they are well-known. The rooting out of Mau Mau from the minds of the Kikuyu is a formidable task, which assumes an ever-growing importance as the measures to establish peace and order become increasingly effective. In the reserves, we see the future leaders of the Kikuyu emerging. They have shown themselves to be men of great courage in the face of constant danger. These are the men to whom the Governor will look for help in the schemes to make better use of the land in the Kikuyu tribal reserve, and on whom the Governor will rely in the development of local government.

"Outside the tribal area a successful scheme of rehabilitation for Mau Mau adherents has been set up under two Europeans and sixteen members of the Kikuyu tribe on the Athi River. On European farms, the Kenya Government is to set on foot a more secure system of employing Kikuyu labour: labour will be employed on contract and housed in compact villages. In land questions successful efforts are being made in North Nyeri to reform the system of land tenure and to discourage land fragmentation. In reconstructing the life of the Kikuyu tribe as a whole, we must demonstrate to the Kikuyu that we aim at their political as well as their social and economic advancement. But let me repeat that against the hard core of Mau Mau we shall be unrelenting. The Governor has announced measures under which Mau Mau leaders will forfeit their rights in land for the benefit of the tribe as a whole. The Governor was urged to do this in a petition signed by African leaders in all three Kikuyu districts. He has declared also that the more fanatical leaders will be excluded indefinitely from the Kikuyu Reserves.

"The Kikuyu cannot, of course, enjoy any greater claims on available Government resources than other tribes who have remained loyal throughout. For Kenya as a whole the Governor, in his speech on October 20, which I would commend to noble Lords' attention, announced extensive plans for agricultural development. In addition, schemes put forward by the Committee on African Advancement include assistance in setting up African traders in business, adult education and rural training. My right honourable friend has already announced that Her Majesty's Government will stand behind the Kenya Government financially if need can be shown. The Kenya Finance Member is coming to London next month for discussions.

"In the meantime, there is encouraging progress to report. The biggest scheme for African settlement is already two years ahead of the programme laid down in the ten-year development plan. It covers 450 square miles at Makuomi, and 900 families have already moved in. The Government has recently made a loan of £10,000 to the sisal factory at Machakos, which is run by the African District Council and which is now producing between fifty and sixty tons a month of good fibre. Coffee production by African smallholders is being given every encouragement. This year African growers are expected to produce 400 tons, which at the current price of about £500 a ton will make a welcome contribution to their cash. earnings; their production should increase annually.

"In short, whilst the measures to restore peace and order are having an increased success, the longer-term problems, social, economic and political, both for the Kikuyu and for the whole Colony, are being resolutely tackled."

4.50 p.m.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, we are grateful for the statement which the noble Earl has just made to us—a statement which I venture to suggest is the most encouraging that we have had on Kenya for some considerable time. There are just two questions that I should like to ask the noble Earl. First, has the noble Earl's attention been drawn to the recent statement of General Erskine, that the position in Kenya is now mainly political, rather than military? Secondly, my attention was drawn recently to the fact that some 18,000 Kikuyu have been expelled from Nairobi. Where is it proposed they should go? Are proper arrangements being made to receive these men who are expelled from Nairobi in the reserves? Is it not a fact that the reserves are already overcrowded and can hardly handle this large number of men, who one assumes are not likely to be particularly good citizens?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, if my recollection serves me, the 18,000 individuals in Nairobi were those Kikuyu who had entered the city illegally and had to be transferred back to their reserves. Without notice, I could not give a definite assurance to the noble Lord that arrangements have been made to welcome them back to the reserves, but I will make inquiries and let the noble Lord know in due course. I, too, read the speech of General Erskine, and the answer is quite right. Up to now, the military side has had to be given priority because, obviously, political advancement could not take place on a foundation which lacked security. If the noble Lord will read the Governor's speech at the opening of the Legislative Council a short time ago, he will see that the Governor amply dealt with this factor. He drew attention to the fact that, for the present at any rate, the military side must preponderate before we can have any political advancement.

LORD FARINGDON

My Lords, I appreciate that the noble Earl may have difficulty at this moment in answering questions on this matter, but I wonder whether he can add anything to what he said about the employment of Africans upon European farms. He made reference to contracts and to the formation of villages. I should like to know whether there will be any sanctions by which these contracts can be enforced and whether these villages—whose establishment I welcome—will be inhabited by permanent inhabitants. Will any land be attached to them for the use of their inhabitants, or will they be villages occupied only by people working under contract on the farms?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, it is unlikely that we shall have the answers to all the questions in London, but I will certainly make inquiries. If we have not, I will obtain the information from the Government of Kenya, and, either way, I will let the noble Lord know.

House adjourned at seven minutes before five o'clock