HC Deb 06 March 1951 vol 485 cc237-9
Mr. Eden

(by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement about the present position in Grenada.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. James Griffiths)

Yes, Sir. I am glad to report that the general situation has now improved although there has as yet been no return to work; On 4th March, the acting-Governor announced that if the improvement continued it would be possible within a few days to declare the state of emergency at an end. I told the House on Wednesday, 28th February, that my labour adviser was leaving for Grenada within the next few days. He has now arrived. He will shortly be making a report. The Governor, Sir Robert Arundell, has terminated his leave and returned to Grenada.

Mr. Eden

No doubt the right hon. Gentleman has received telegrams indicating some anxiety, from the island. Can he give us any estimate of what the damage has been to crops and buildings, Government and private, from these events?

Mr. Griffiths

No, I am afraid I could not now give any estimate of the amount of damage that has been done.

Mr. Harrison

When my right hon. Friend receives the report from his labour adviser, will he make known to the House the substantial causes of all the trouble in the island recently?

Mr. Griffiths

Yes. My labour adviser is a very experienced man. He will be making an investigation into the whole background of this trouble, including the union background.

Mr. Eden

While that is obviously very desirable, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is another aspect, which is also serious. It is that these outbreaks went so far, and did so much damage, before adequate steps could be taken to restore law and order.

Mr. Griffiths

One of the reasons was that the strike was called before any demands had been made. If there had been any demands at all, they would have been investigated. The first thing we knew was the calling of the strike.

Mr. Eden

I quite accept all that, but there is also the question of the preservation of law and order, strike or no strike. It is the result of the failure to do that that the widespread damage has taken place, and I should like the right hon. Gentleman to look into that aspect of the matter.

Mr. Griffiths

Yes. I will.

Sir H. Williams

Will the right hon. Gentleman also publish the report of his labour adviser as a White Paper, together with the evidence received?

Mr. Griffiths

This will be a report from my labour adviser to myself. If a Question is put down, I shall certainly be able to tell the House what steps have been taken on the report. I do not think that it is customary for a report to a Minister by an adviser to be published.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

What is the status of the labour adviser? Is he empowered to go to the island and to intervene in matters of administration, or is he making an investigation for the Minister?

Mr. Griffiths

He is making an investigation and is to report to me on any steps that ought to be taken by myself and the Governor in consultation.