Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the 1174W terms of the exclusive licence for oil exploitation granted in Kenya to the D'Arcy Exploration Company and the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company; and whether any of the territory covered by the licence is in the possession of Africans?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreWith my approval the Government of Kenya proposed to grant to the D'Arcy Exploration Company and the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company jointly, a licence to explore for oil over the whole territory of Kenya or over so much of it as might be considered suitable for exploration. I understand from Press reports that such a licence has been granted, but I have not yet received information as to the precise conditions. The hon. Member will realise that any such licence is purely exploratory and does not involve the grant of any rights to exploit any mineral resources which may be discovered. I should add that mineral oil is everywhere the property of the Crown in Kenya, and that none has yet been discovered.