§ Captain RANKINasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether grants of land have been made to officers 587W and men who took part in the War in British East Africa; if so, how much land has been allotted and to how many persons; whether these grants are still being made; and, if not, why this is not being done?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERY:The total number of farms allotted in East Africa to ex-service men and women under the recent Land Settlement Scheme was 1,150, and the area allotted was rather more than 2,000,000 acres. The Governor has recommended that no further allotments should be made at present, as he considers that the new settlers should first be allowed to establish their position. There are many obstacles in the way of more rapid development for the moment, and in particular, the supply of native labour, on which settlers must depend, is very uncertain. An exception is made in the case of the special terms for medical men willing to take up land and to render professional help to their neighbours. Applications of this kind are still being specially considered by the Local Government.