§ Sir S. HOAREasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the statements made by the Bishop of Zanzibar and other responsible British subjects connected with East Africa with reference to the evils of the system of forced labour in Kenya Colony; and what steps the Government propose to take to remedy the unsatisfactory state of affairs?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYMy hon. and gallant Friend will be aware that there is no question of compulsory labour except to the extent that natives not otherwise employed may be called upon to work for the Government or for the benefit of the Reserve to which they belong. The general policy as regards native labour in Kenya Colony is set forth in Cmd. 873, to which I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend. It was only adopted after the most careful consideration, and I am not prepared to accept the description of that policy as given in the Bishop of Zanzibar's pamphlet as in any sense a correct description1590W of the situation. I can, however, assure my hon. and gallant Friend that any definite representations as to abuses or evil effects actually resulting which may be made by the Bishop of Zanzibar or others will be immediately investigated and the necessary measures taken to prevent their recurrence.