HC Deb 17 February 1954 vol 523 cc207-8W
73. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Africans who have surrendered carrying a copy of General Erskine's surrender leaflet; and the number of these people who have subsequently been sentenced by a civil court.

Mr. Lyttelton

Up to 10th February, 90 terrorists had surrendered in response to the surrender offer and none of these have been sentenced by a civil court.

75. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of Stale for the Colonies what action is being taken to avoid false impressions being conveyed to Mau Mau adherents by leaflets circulated by the Kenya Military Command assuring immunity to those who surrender, when in fact the civil courts nullify this by inflicting punishment on those who have surrendered because of those leaflets.

Mr. Lyttelton

The surrender offer of 24th August, 1953, was made on the authority of the Governor of Kenya and of the Commander-in-Chief, East Africa. A copy of the surrender leaflet has been put in the Library, together with a copy of the statement issued by the Governor at the time. This statement explains the nature of the offer and was given the widest publicity. The Kenya Government are carrying out the undertaking given in the offer, and I do not accept the suggestion that there has been any breach of it.