115. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the reasons for delaying for over a year the publication of Sir Philip Mitchell's despatch of 16th November, 1951, in view of Sir Philip's request that it be published at an early date.
§ 116. Sir R. Aclandasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what dates he first sent a communication to the governors of Uganda and of Tanganyika and to the East African High Commission relating to the main proposals put forward by the then governor of Kenya in his despatch of 16th November, 1951; on what dates replies were received; and whether he will publish in HANSARD or put in the Library copies of the operative parts of the communications of the replies.
§ 118. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what dates he referred Sir Philip Mitchell's despatch No. 193 of 16th November, 1951, to the Governors of Tanganyika and Uganda; and on what dates they indicated their 135W assent to the proposal to set up a Royal Commission on economic and social problems in East Africa.
§ Mr. Haleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what letters or other communication he addressed to Sir Philip Mitchell, the former Governor of Kenya, with reference to his despatch of 16th November, 1951; and whether he will arrange for copies of all relevant documents to be available in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. LytteltonThe despatch from Sir Philip Mitchell printed in non-Parliamentary paper Colonial No. 290 is not in fact his original despatch of the 16th November, 1951. It is a revised version, including in its penultimate paragraph reference to consultations with the other East African Governors which did not begin until this year. Unfortunately, owing to an error in Kenya which escaped notice in the Colonial Office, the printed copies of the revised despatch, which reached me on 17th April, bore the original date.
Sir Philip Mitchell's original despatch of the 16th November was addressed to me solely on his own behalf as Governor of Kenya. He had not then consulted the Governors of Tanganyika and Uganda, although copies of his despatch were sent to them. On 31st December, 1951, I addressed a despatch to Sir Philip in his capacity as Chairman of the East Africa High Commission requesting him to arrange for his Kenya despatch to be considered by the East Africa High Commission at its next meeting in January, 1952. I am placing a copy of that despatch in the Library of the House. The three Governors accordingly discussed the matter at that meeting. In view of the complexity and political delicacy of the problem, they rightly felt that further consideration must be given to the matter in relation to Tanganyika and Uganda before their concurrence could be given to Sir Philip's proposal for the appointment of a Royal Commission.
It was accordingly agreed that the matter should be discussed with me in February by Sir Philip himself on his visit to this country and then further considered at the meeting of the High Commission towards the end of March. These discussions took place, and at the latter meeting the Governors of Tanganyika 136W and Uganda concurred in Sir Philip's proposal. His original despatch was accordingly printed with some minor alterations and with the addition of the present penultimate paragraph.
In May, my colleagues in the Cabinet agreed to a submission to The Queen for the appointment of a Royal Commission and after further consultation with the three Governors, about some of the details, the submission was made and I was informed of Her Majesty's approval on the 5th July. Immediately after The Queen's approval was obtained, I began inquiries about a suitable chairman. It was inevitably a long and difficult task to obtain someone of the standing and ability required for this vital task, particularly in view of the length of time the investigation was likely to take and we were fortunate that in the upshot someone of Sir Hugh Dow's standing and experience agreed that his name should be submitted to Her Majesty for the appointment. Sir Hugh's agreement was given on the 28th October. The draft terms of reference were discussed with him, The Queen's approval for his appointment and for the terms of reference was obtained and both were announced on the 31st October. I hope shortly to be in a position to announce the names of other members of the Commission.
§ 117. Mr. Haleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to whom the letter, dated 22nd July, 1952, commencing "Sir," and concluding, "I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, Oliver Lyttelton," set out in Colonial Paper No. 290, of 1952, printed in Kenya and published in London, was addressed.
§ Mr. LytteltonIt was addresed to the Officer Administering the Government of Kenya. Owing to a printing error which was unfortunately not detected in the proof stage the addressee was omitted from the despatch as published.