HC Deb 17 May 1892 vol 4 cc1114-6
MR. JOHN O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the date of the last Report from the Governor of the Gold Coast respecting political prisoners confined in that Colony; at what intervals has he instructions to report on their condition, place of confinement, and cause of detention, and how often has he done so since the year 1883; how many political prisoners have been tried and convicted by the ordinary law, and how many detained under Ordinances of the Gold Coast Legislative Council since the year 1883, how many have died in confinement since that date, and how many have been released; are there any persons now detained against whom no charge has been preferred, and, if so, how many, and since when; is Bo Amponsam, late King of Denkera, against whom a charge was made and dismissed, and who was detained under Ordinance No. 5 of 1888, still imprisoned, and is Geraldo de Lima, against whom a charge of murder was not substantiated and who was detained under Ordinance 15 of 1884, still imprisoned; and, if so, will he be brought to trial or discharged; what legal means is there existing at the Gold Coast of testing the legality of the arrest or detention of political prisoners in that Colony; and will he lay upon the Table the most recent Report from the Governor on these matters?

*THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. DE WORMS,) Liverpool, East Toxteth

The date of the last Report is 28th July, 1891. The Governor has instructions, as I stated in my reply to the hon. Member on the 2nd instant, to report every six months. These instructions were given by despatch dated 20th May, 1891. The Governor will be asked to supply the information mentioned in the third paragraph of the question. The fourth paragraph was answered by me on the 2nd instant. There are five Gold Coast political prisoners against whom no charge has been preferred before the Courts, as their offences are not such as the Courts could properly take cognizance of; but their release would be dangerous to the peace and order of the Colony and Protectorate. Bo Amponsam, ex-King of Denkera, died in Elmina Castle of cerebral apoplexy on 15th November, 1890. Geraldo de Lima is still detained as a prisoner. He cannot now be brought to trial, and in the Report of July last the Governor stated that he could not recommend his release. The subsequent Report which should have been sent in January has not yet been received, probably owing to the Governor's recent illness from influenza; but it has been called for. For information with regard to Geraldo de Lima's past history, I may refer the hon. Member to the Blue Book (C. 4477) of July, 1885, which will show what a dangerous character he is. The answer to the sixth paragraph is that there are no legal means. It has long been recognised by successive Governments that, in the peculiar circumstances of the West African Colonies, it is occasionally necessary to arrest and detain persons in custody under authority conferred by special legislation. The exercise of this power has, however, always been most carefully watched by the Secretary of State, and has only been resorted to when absolutely necessary for the safety of the Colony. As regards the last paragraph, the Report merely records the Governor's opinion that at the date at which it was written it would not be possible to release the prisoners; but I will show the Report to the hon. Member if he desires it.

MR. JOHN O'CONNOR

I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has seen a letter recently published in the Gold Coast newspaper by Geraldo de Lima, appealing to the English people for justice, having failed to get any justice from several appeals to the Government?

*BARON H. DE WORMS

I have not seen the article to which the hon. Member refers. But if the hon. Member will read the Blue Book I have mentioned he will find that Geraldo de Lima is one of the most dangerous characters in the country.

MR. JOHN O'CONNOR

What is the date of it?

*BARON H. DE WORMS

July, 1885.

MR. JOHN O'CONNOR

But does the right hon. Gentleman suppose that the Members of this House are to believe all that is stated by the Governor?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!