HL Deb 20 July 1965 vol 268 cc587-9

11.12 a.m.

LORD OAKSHOTT

My 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 can now make a statement regarding the position of the "mixed" farmers in Kenya, following the visit there of the Stamp mission.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD WALSTON)

My Lords, as my right honourable friend the Minister of Overseas Development said in reply to a Question on July 13, the Stamp Mission now expect to present their final report towards the end of August. But following her receipt of the Mission's interim report, my right honourable friend invited Kenya Ministers to London next week for a preliminary exchange of views, and she hopes that these discussions will form a basis for substantive talks later on when she has had the opportunity fully to consider the Mission's final report.

LORD OAKSHOTT

My Lords, may I thank the noble Lord for that reply? Following upon this meeting in London of Her Majesty's Government and the Kenya Ministers and after the visit of the Stamp Mission, may we expect a statement later in the year of the Government's final decision about what they will do? Also, will the noble Lord remember that there is still a number of "mixed" farmers in Kenya who fell outside the earlier resettlement purchase scheme, and there is considerable concern that the Land Bank should be financially equipped to help these farmers should they require this help and have to leave the country.

LORD WALSTON

My Lords, my right honourable friend will certainly make it known when she has had the opportunity, in the first place, of preliminary talks with the Kenya Ministers; secondly, of studying the final Report of the Stamp Mission; and, thirdly, of course, of talking once more with the Kenya Government on these matters. She will then make her position known through the appropriate channels.

LORD OAKSHOTT

My Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord for that further answer. But will it be borne in mind that progressively, as time goes on, there are more of what used to be called security cases, compassionate cases and so on, arising among the farmers as people get older and live alone? These are the people for whom the help of the Land Bank will be required. Will this fact be borne in mind?

LORD WALSTON

My Lords, that will certainly be borne in mind.

LORD CAREW

My Lords, may I beg leave to intervene here with some supplementary questions to the noble Lord, Lord Walston? Would he and Her Majesty's Government bear in mind the fact that these "mixed" farmers have to make up their minds before December 12 next whether or not they will assume Kenya nationality, as opposed to British nationality? Are these farmers going to be given an opportunity to leave Kenya before that date, without losing absolutely everything they possess in the world? In fact, what assurances are this House and the country at large going to get on the matter?

LORD WALSTON

My Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that the Stamp Mission's Report will be available long before then, and will have been studied by then. I very much hope—and that is a date which we certainly bear in mind—that such people will be in full possession of the facts before they have to make up their minds.

LORD CAREW

I thank the noble Lord.