HC Deb 18 December 1956 vol 562 cc146-7W
112. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he has rejected the official request of the International Committee of the Red Cross for permission to visit internment and detention camps in Kenya.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have received no such official request from the International Committee of the Red Cross. In August, 1955, through the good offices of the British Red Cross Society, an informal discussion took place between officers of my Department and Dr. Henri Junod who made what was understood to be an offer in his personal capacity to visit camps in Kenya and place his experience of penal administration at the disposal of the authorities. The Governor who was informed of this offer, felt that he had ample advice at his disposal and did not therefore wish to trouble Dr. Junod to make a special journey to Kenya, although he said that he would be pleased to see him if he were to pass through Kenya on his return to South Africa.

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