§ 10. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Governor of Sierra Leone and the general manager of the railways have dismissed or put under notice all the officials of railway workers' union, including Mr. E. A. Richard, the president; that a committee of citizens has taken up the cause of the workers owing to the attitude of the Governor, and many members of the community have taken up honorary membership of the union to express their disapproval of the policy of the Governor and manager and, as the workers returned to work upon his telegraphed promise to consider their grievances, whether he will state what ameliorations have taken place in the conditions of employment?
§ Mr. AMERYThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am aware that a committee of citizens supported the strikers. I have no information that members of the general community have taken up honorary membership of the union. The suggestion in the last part of the question that the strikers returned to work on a promise from me to consider their grievances is inaccurate.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the right hon. Gentleman publish his telegram, and allow the House to decide?
§ Mr. LANSBURYSeeing that the right hon. Gentleman makes a statement that the latter part of the question is inaccurate, would it not be for the benefit of everyone to have the actual terms of the telegram, so that we may form an opinion? Has the right hon. Gentleman made inquiries as to the dismissal of the men mentioned in the first part of the question?
§ Mr. AMERYI am making inquiries into that. I think the hon. Member must accept the accuracy of my statement.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWhen shall we get the report which the: right hon. Gentleman promised three weeks or a month ago?