HC Deb 27 January 1954 vol 522 cc245-6W
106. Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received the reports he has called for from the Kenya and Tanganyika Governments on the Kenya screening team which was tried in November in Tanganyika.

Mr. Hopkinson

Yes. In September, 1953, the Government of Tanganyika wished to repatriate to Kenya about 8,000 Kikuyu resident in the Northern Province. The Government of Kenya were unable to accept such large numbers but were prepared to accept those who after screening were shown to be Mau Mau supporters. It was, therefore, agreed that screening teams should be provided by the Government of Kenya to enable this to be done.

Subsequent investigation has shown that there was a regrettable misunderstanding over arrangements for supervision. The Kenya authorities mistakenly assumed it had been agreed that Mr. Hayward would be accompanied throughout by a Tanganyika Government officer who would later take over responsibility for screening operations. The Tanganyika authorities understood that Mr. Hayward and his team would complete the screening and that all that was required of Tanganyika was a liaison officer, who in fact was supplied.

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