§ 3.18 p.m.
§ LORD CRATHORNEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will shortly be coming to a decision on amending the provision in the Kenya (Constitution) Order in Council which disqualifies persons who have undergone a prison sentence of two years or more from the Kenya legislature.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF PERTH)My Lords, my right honourable friend has discussed the matter very fully with the Governor and has reached the conclusion that the Constitution should be amended so as to remove the provision to which the noble Lord refers. 949 Accordingly an appropriate amendment to the Order in Council will be submitted to Her Majesty in Council in the near future. We are satisfied that responsible opinion generally in Kenya, and in particular the main political Parties, accept that in the developing situation in Kenya the Constitution should give all people, subject only to the normal disabilities, the chance of pursuing their political aims by legitimate political means. We believe that this step will help us to secure our main objective in Kenya, which is to achieve constitutional advance on lines generally acceptable to the people of the country.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, the noble Earl may remember that the last time this matter was discussed we on this side asked the Government to remove this provision, and we now thank him for doing so. May I ask him whether this decision will be made public simultaneously in Kenya?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHYes, my Lords. I understand that, either to-day or certainly by to-morrow, the Government of Kenya will inform the people there of this decision.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I hope the silence of the House will not be taken by the Government as meaning that every noble Lord in this House approves of the attitude it has been found necessary to take.