§ Mr. W. BAKERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that 4,500,000 acres of agricultural land in Kenya are held by 1,700 Europeans: whether he is aware that no more than 400,000 acres of this land is being cultivated: and whether he will consider the adoption of a new policy whereby all land not brought into cultivation within five years would be forfeited to the State?
§ Mr. AMERYThe figures given are correct, with the qualification that much of the land alienated is unsuitable for cultivation, and that pastoral development must obviously be regarded as an adequate use of such land. Including pastoral development, a full half of the888W 4,500,000 acres has already been made use of, and I am not prepared at this early stage of the Colony s development to accept the view that a time limit should be imposed after which all land not brought into cultivation or use for pasturage should be forfeited to the State.