§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what powers are being taken by the Government of Kenya for the compulsory acquisition of agricultural land outside the native reserves; and whether he will cause such acquisition to be deferred until the inadequacy of land in the native reserves is dealt with satisfactorily?
§ Colonel StanleyThe Government of Kenya proposes to take powers to reacquire for settlement purposes agricultural land in the highlands which has previously been alienated to private ownership but which has not been fully utilised. The question of land to satisfy the economic requirements of Africans in Kenya was dealt with by the Land Commission of 1934 whose recommendations were accepted by His Majesty's Government. The Kenya Government has now prepared comprehensive plans for soil conservation, provision of water supplies, tsetse fly reclamation and other measures, which will provide new areas for occupation by Africans. I am satisfied that the Government's proposals viewed as a1318W whole take into account the needs of both Africans and non-Africans and I see no reason for asking the Governor to defer action on the re-acquisition of undeveloped land in the highlands which forms one part only of a carefully co-ordinated development programme.