§ 2.35 p.m.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will issue a Command Paper with details of the recent disturbances and attacks upon Europeans in Northern Rhodesia and the names, if known, of any organisations or individuals who have instigated these disturbances.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF PERTH)My Lords, I do not think that a Command Paper on the lines suggested would be altogether helpful or appropriate in the present situation. As the House will be aware, disturbances on the Copperbelt during the early part of this month led to violence, which included arson, stoning of cars, damage to both African and European property, and attacks on persons of both races. The most serious and deplorable attack took place on May 8 following a political meeting in Chifubu Township, Ndola, when a European woman, Mrs. Burton, and her two children were attacked in their car. Mrs. Burton died of her injuries some days later.
As a result of these disturbances the Governor brought the provisions of the Public Security Ordinance into operation on May 11 and all branches of what is known as U.N.I.P. (that is, the United National Independence Party) in the Western Province have been declared illegal organisations. As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies said in another place on May 17, he and the Governor have 1214 no doubt that it is to adherents of the U.N.I.P., particularly in the Western Province, that the extremist political agitation and defiance of the law which is at the root of the present trouble in the province is to be ascribed. The apprehension of those responsible for particular crimes is a matter for the Northern Rhodesia Police and is being vigorously pursued. The situation in the Copperbelt has remained generally quiet for the past week or so.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, may I first thank my noble friend for the very full Answer which he gave to my Question, which indeed fulfilled my purpose in putting it? Might I ask this short supplementary? Is he aware that I put the Question because the elements in the British Press which in all these African matters are pro-African and anti-European have almost ignored these serious events in Northern Rhodesia, and therefore it is of great advantage that my noble friend should have made the statement he has made?
§ LORD CHORLEYMy Lords, might I ask the noble Earl whether he could give some of the evidence which associates this attack on this unfortunate woman and her family—which at first sight looks as though it was an ordinary type of rather serious crime—with political agitation? That is really the sting, so to speak, of his Answer. There is no doubt that the Governor has material on which he could reach that conclusion, and I think it would be valuable if some of that evidence could be disclosed. It is important.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, first of all may I say that I understand very well the purpose for which the noble Earl asked the Question, and, of course, without making any comment on whether or not the Press has given this adequate publicity, I would say that it is always useful to have such subjects as this aired in your Lordships' House. On the other point raised, I would say this. I will see what can be done in the matter of further evidence. But I think (I am speaking now rather from memory) the facts are to this extent undoubted; namely, that there was a political meeting, as I have said, on May 8 in the Chifubu Township, Ndola, and it was 1215 immediately after that meeting that this attack was made on Mrs. Burton and her two children.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, with reference to the question asked by the noble Lord opposite, is it not a fact that this poor unfortunate woman was burnt to death? Is that an "ordinary" form of crime?
§ LORD CHORLEYIt is a very violent type of crime, and nobody for a moment would dream of justifying it in any sort of way. But it is the linking of it up with politics which is the important element, and I should be very grateful if the noble Earl could give the evidence rather more in detail. I think it is very important that we should know where we are about these matters.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHAs I have said, I shall be very glad to see what more information I can give to the noble Lord, but the facts as I have so far outlined them are, I think, conclusive on the point.
§ THE EARL OF LUCANMy Lords, could the noble Earl say whether any African leaders, and if so which, have condemned the outrages and lawlessness?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHI am glad to have the opportunity of saying that not only have many of the organisations and the various Parties, particularly such Parties as the United Federal Party, the Dominion Party and the Central African Party, condemned it, but also Mr. Harry Nkumbula has condemned it; and recently Mr. Kaunda came out very strongly against violence, and he is, as your Lordships know, a leader of the United National Independence Party.
LORD REAMy Lords, arising out of the supplementary question put by the noble Earl, Lord Winterton, would the noble Earl, Lord Perth, bear in mind that the statement that to be pro-African is to be anti-European is not really borne out in this country?