§ Mr. LENNOX-BOYDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the nature of the controversy which has arisen in Kenya over the proposed issue of the exclusive licences for the marketing of produce; whether there have been any objections by the Indian community to the proposal; and whether any assurances and, if so, of what nature have been given by the Colonial Office to the Government of India?
Mr. M. MacDONALDI understand that the passage of the Native Marketing Bill through the Legislative Council in Kenya has been attended with some controversy, but I have not yet received either the final text of the Ordinance or the official report of the debates. I have assured my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for India that the Ordinance will not be brought into operation until I have had an opportunity of considering it in consultation, if necessary, with him; and that exclusive licences will be issued in a non-racial spirit, and will be subject, in each case, to my prior approval.