Kenya

Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 March 1973.

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Photo of Mr Patrick Wall Mr Patrick Wall , Haltemprice 12:00, 14 March 1973

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his visit to Kenya and his more recent talks with Kenyan Ministers.

Photo of Mr Anthony Kershaw Mr Anthony Kershaw , Stroud

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development visited Kenya in February. Details of his visit were given to the House in reply to a Question on 9th March.

Three Kenyan Ministers paid an official visit to London from 4th to 9th March as guests of Her Majesty's Government. The visit provided an excellent opportunity for my right hon. Friend and my noble Friend to exchange views with the Kenyans on a wide range of international and bilateral issues in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The talks were particularly useful at a time when Kenya has just taken up a seat on the Security Council.—[Vol. 852, c. 224.]

Photo of Mr Patrick Wall Mr Patrick Wall , Haltemprice

Is there any agreement on the rate of intake of Kenyan Asians into Britain? What assistance is being given to speed up the resettlement of Africans on small European mixed farms so that Europeans can return to Britain with their capital?

Photo of Mr Anthony Kershaw Mr Anthony Kershaw , Stroud

Special vouchers for United Kingdom passport holders in Kenya are being issued at the same rate as before. The rate of admission of United Kingdom passport holders to this country for resettlement is maintained at numbers within the order of magnitude of recent years. As was announced in the House last week, we have recently given £7 million to facilitate the continuation of the transfer of farms in this manner.

Photo of Mr David Steel Mr David Steel , Roxburghshire, Selkirkshire and Peeblesshire

Can the Under-Secretary dispel some of the alarmist talk there has been in the House about the situation of the British Asians in Kenya and confirm that their exit is proceeding normally and in co-operation with the Kenyan Government?

Photo of Mr Anthony Kershaw Mr Anthony Kershaw , Stroud

I am glad to do that. I am very much obliged to the hon. Gentleman for so stating it.

Photo of Alan Haselhurst Alan Haselhurst , Middleton and Prestwich

Does my hon. Friend agree that the wisest course at present would be not to make too many demands on the Kenyan Government when the situation in East Africa is such that the Kenyan Government may of their own accord choose to adopt policies which are in no way disagreeable to the interests of Britain?

Photo of Mr Anthony Kershaw Mr Anthony Kershaw , Stroud

I am obliged to my hon. Friend also. I entirely agree with what he has said.

Photo of Mr Robert Maclennan Mr Robert Maclennan Shadow Spokesperson (Defence)

Will the Minister reaffirm that the rate of Kenyanisation is a matter for the Kenyan Government and and that the British Government will not, by anything they say, seek to embarrass the Kenyan Government in this matter?

Photo of Mr Anthony Kershaw Mr Anthony Kershaw , Stroud

This is entirely a matter for the Kenyan Government and we go along with them on it.

Photo of Mr Frederic Bennett Mr Frederic Bennett , Torquay

In order to dispel some of the more alarmist rumours that have been put about in certain organs of the Press, will my hon. Friend confirm that there is no question of any part of this bargain being either a reduced or an increased intake of British Kenyan Asians wishing to leave that country.

Photo of Mr Anthony Kershaw Mr Anthony Kershaw , Stroud

Our arrangements with the Kenyan Government are as before. They are proceeding perfectly smoothly and with the greatest possible friendliness.

Photo of Mr Goronwy Roberts Mr Goronwy Roberts , Caernarvon

Has the point raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan) about the rate of Kenyanisation been made clearly and officially by Her Majesty's Government to the Kenyan Government?

Photo of Mr Anthony Kershaw Mr Anthony Kershaw , Stroud

There is an understanding about what the rate should be. It has subsisted for some time and no change has been made or is anticipated.