HC Deb 27 May 1954 vol 528 c47W
Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to develop commerce and industry in Kenya by means of low-credit loans to Africans who are deemed credit-worthy applicants.

Mr. Lyttelton

In October last, the Kenya Government amended the African District Councils Ordinance so as to enable such councils to create funds from local revenue for lending money to African traders. The Government will then contribute to each fund on a pound-for-pound basis up to a maximum of £5,000. So far three of the four district councils in Nyanza Province have started funds of this kind and it is hoped that, if these experiments are successful, other local government bodies will be encouraged to join the Government in organising similar funds.