§ Mr. J. HUDSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any information regarding the public auction at Nairobi, on 31st March next, of 54 farms of Crown land, comprising a total of over 158,000 acres in the Kenya highlands, on leases of 999 years; and whether His Majesty's Government will order the suspension of this sale until a decision, as recommended by the Report of the Commission on Closer Union in Central and Eastern Africa, has been taken on the principles which should govern such sales to non-natives, and also the questions governing the putting into force of the Native Land Trust Ordinance have been settled?
§ Dr. SHIELSYes, Sir. The Government of Kenya has given notice of an auction of these farms to be held on 31st March. My Noble Friend has made inquiry and has received an assurance that these are ordinary sales in accordance with accepted policy; that the farms in question link up with other occupied farms, and that no possible native rights or claims are involved. In the circumstances he sees no reason to ask the Governor to suspend action.