HC Deb 23 June 1959 vol 607 cc120-1W
70. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the members of the International Red Cross who have been appointed to visit the detention camps in Kenya.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The Rev. Henri Philippe Junod, who took part in the first mission to Kenya in 1957, and Dr. Jean Maurice Rubli.

77. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will place in the Library a photostatic copy of the page in the Aguthi Detention Camp Punishment Book dealing with the caning of a detainee for writing to a Member of Parliament.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

After the hon. Member's reference in the recent debate I set in hand further inquiries, and when these are completed I will be able to answer the hon. Gentleman's Question.

78. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies his plans for the future of the closed camp at Hola; whether he will remove it from its present site; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

All but seventeen of the detainees who were in the closed camp have been moved elsewhere, most of them to Manyani camp. The extent to which the closed camp should continue to be used is still being considered.

Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the Cowan Plan is still being operated.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

As I said in the debate on the 16th June, Mr. Cowan's proposals were for the adaptation of a proved and successful technique to the particular circumstances of Hola. Orders requiring recalcitrant detainees to work were not then being given in any other camp, nor will they be given anywhere, including Hola, pending the advice of the Faint Inquiry into how far present rehabilitation methods can and should be adopted in the future administration of the camps.

Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he was informed of the Cowan Plan before its introduction to the Hola camp.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No. But in so far as Mr. Cowan's proposals, as originally conceived and approved (though not as actually carried out) provided for an operation which the inquiring magistrate described as "comparatively minor", there was no reason why I should have been informed.

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