CAB129-52 — Page 52

CONFIDENTIAL

C. (52) 163

16TH MAY, 1952

Page 52

CABINET OFFICE

RECORD COPY

CABINET

COPY NO.

55

EAST AFRICA: APPOINTMENT OF ROYAL COMMISSION

TO STUDY LAND AND POPULATION PROBLEMS

Memorandum by the Secretary of State for the Colonies

The rapid increase of the African population of East Africa is causing severe overcrowding in some of the African districts and some Africans are demanding that European farmers, particularly in the White Highlands of Kenya, should be dispossessed in their favour. This would not solve the agricultural problem, but something must be done to meet the real and important African difficulties. These come not only from the present shortage of fertile land but also from the need to adjust the traditional African life to modern developments.

2.

As a first step the Governor of Kenya has proposed that a Royal Commission should go to East Africa to examine the problem of the land in relation to the economic, industrial and social development of the East African region as a whole and the increase in population which is taking place. The proposal is strongly supported by the Governors of Uganda and Tanganyika. I attach a copy of the terms of reference that have been suggested for such a Commission.

3.

It is not too late for the East African Governments to guide the economic and social development of the area along the right lines. I share their belief that the findings of a well-selected Royal Commission would greatly assist them. They will also be of assistance to the governments of other African territories. I therefore recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission as proposed by the Governor of Kenya.

Appointments to the Commission will be difficult. It is essential that it should be an impartial body of high professional standing. There is certain to be pressure for the appointment of an African member. I would gladly appoint one if I knew of anyone with the necessary standing and freedom from bias. I know of no African so qualified. I consider that the members should be confined to

experts in fields such as agriculture, economics and sociology, with a Chairman not himself a specialist, but a man of wide experience who is not closely associated with politics. I would resist any suggestion that members should be appointed to represent local economic or racial points of view.

5.

To sum up, I recommend:-

(a)

(b)

the appointment of a Royal Commission with terms of reference on the

lines of the attached draft;

f

that its members should be appointed in accordance with the principles

set out in paragraph 4.

If any of my colleagues wish to have further information about the backgroun to this proposal, I should be glad to supply them with copies of the most impressive, but rather long, despatch in which Sir Philip Mitchell put it forward.

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Colonial Office, S. W.1.,

C.L.

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16TH MAY. 1952.