§ Mr. McENTEEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he can now make any statement as to the discovery of oil in Kenya, and as to the policy of the Government with regard to oil research generally in the Colonies?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAs regards the first part of the question, so far as I am aware no commercial supplies of oil have actually been discovered in Kenya. A report has appeared in the Press to the effect that certain persons had discovered indications of oil and three applications for licences to prospect for oil in Kenya have recently been received. These are now under consideration.
As to the second part of the question, it is the policy of Colonial Governments to facilitate exploration for oil by reputable applicants arid all applications for licences for that purpose in the Colonial Empire are considered in the light of the local legislation.