§ 55. Sir A. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress is being made in Kenya with the settlement of landless Africans on mixed farming land acquired from Europeans under the million acre scheme with subsequent extensions; how many European farms are being purchased; whether the selection has now been completed; what is his estimate of the number of European farmers outside the present purchase area who would surrender their farms and stock on a fair basis of valuation; and when he expects to receive the review of the impact of these measures on the land problem in Kenya, including the purchase of further European farms by the Government and the settlement of landless Africans.
§ Mr. SandysAbout 11,500 African families have so far been settled under approved Land Settlement Schemes and about 600 Europeans' farms purchased. It is expected that approximately 1,000 farms in all will be bought under the existing schemes, but the purchasing programme for the final years has not yet been decided. I regret that no estimate is available of the number of European farmers outside the settlement areas who wish to sell their farms. The proposed review has not yet taken place. I am in touch with the Kenya Government about the timing of this.