§ Mr. S. Marshallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been done to implement the recommendation of the Kenya Development Sub-Committee on Health in regard to the setting up of a Royal Commission to inquire into the health of all the peoples of His Majesty's dependencies in Africa.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe recommendation of the Kenya Development Sub-Committee on Health was also the subject of an approach in 1947 by the Kenya Branch of the British Medical Association who asked that the Royal Commission should in addition cover population questions. These proposals were considered by my predecessor who, in 1949, decided that as far as the East African Territories were concerned the appointment of a Royal Commission on population would be inappropriate. Further statistical136W information is at present in the course of preparation and the position will be reviewed again when it becomes available.
Innumerable efforts are being made by the Governments of the British Colonial Territories in Africa to improve the health of the people and it is considered that an official inquiry of the kind suggested could not be of real value until a stage has been reached at which it will be possible to draw conclusions from the results of these efforts. I am not, therefore, prepared to recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission at present.