HC Deb 22 March 1926 vol 193 cc879-81
13. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Sierra Leone railway strikers, on the faith of the Governor's proclamation embodying the statements contained in a letter from the Secretary of State, dated 20th February, presented themselves to work; that one of the conditions laid down by the Governor was that if the men returned their case would be sympathetically dealt with, and that the men who returned immediately would be allowed to keep their positions; that when the men did present themselves for work 200 were excluded and dismissed, owing to their known sympathy and membership of the trade union; and whether he will order a special inquiry by an impartial investigator into all the circumstances which have brought about this condition of affairs and present the same to this House?

Mr. AMERY

I am aware that the Governor intimated to the strikers that if they returned to work within a stipulated time their cases would he reconsidered later. But this did not apply to men who for specially bad conduct had been dismissed the service in the earlier stages of the strike. These, of whom 37 only were on pensionable terms, the others being on daily employment and their posts being already filled, were excluded on presenting themselves for work. Membership of the union was not the reason for dismissal and hundreds of members are now again in their former employment. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. LANSBURY

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry as to what offences these particular men committed which compelled the Governor not to allow them to be re-employed, and is he aware that all the newspaper reports contradict almost every statement the right hon. Gentleman has made in connection with this dispute?

Mr. AMERY

I are not- aware of that.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to what the specially reprehensible conduct of these 37 union men was?

Mr. AMERY

I have not it in my mind at the moment.

Mr. LANSBURY

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is going to inquire what the reprehensible conduct consists of?

Mr. AMERY

If it is not contained in the Governor's full report, I will make inquiries?