Oral Answers to Questions — Kenya. – in the House of Commons am ar 30 Mehefin 1924.
Mr John Harris
, Hackney South
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the suggested alienation of 63,000 acres of land in Kenya Colony is land which is at present occupied by the Masai tribes: to whom is it proposed that this alienation shall be made; and whether the Commission which is about to make an inquiry into the position of the Masai in Kenya Colony will have included within its terms of reference any matters arising out of or affecting the proposed alienation?
Mr. THOMAS:
I have no information that there are any natives on the land in question and it is extremely unlikely that any natives who are there are Masai, in view of the transfer of the northern Masai to the extended Southern Reserve in 1910–11. The third part of the question does not therefore, in my opinion, arise. With regard to the second part, the proposal is that Lord Delamere should surrender 21,000 acres of farming land close to the Uganda Railway in exchange for 63,000 acres of sheep-grazing country in a more remote situation. The areas are stated to be of approximately equal value, and while the larger area, although it has been marked out for sub-Division, is stated to be suitable only as a large grazing proposition, the smaller area can be broken up into a number of smaller holdings. I have already stated that this proposal has not yet been approved. The position of scattered natives on land which has been intended for alienation to non-natives has been brought to the notice of the Governor and it will no doubt also come within the scope of the Land Committee which I propose to set up.
Mr Richard Wallhead
, Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr
Is it not a fact that Lord Delamere is Chairman of the Commission that is making these proposals?
Sir Patrick Hannon
, Birmingham Moseley
Is it not a fact that Lord Delamere has done an immense amount of pioneer work in that part of the world?
Mr George Lansbury
, Poplar Bow and Bromley
If the natives do not agree, shall we send a bombing expedition there?
Mr. THOMAS:
It is quite true that Lord Delamere has great interests in the country. The very fact that I have not approved the proposal is at least the best indication that I am having it considered further. Surely, when I ask for further information, I ought not to prejudice it by a statement in this House?
Mr Richard Wallhead
, Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr
Is Lord Delamere Chairman of the Commission?
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