§ 35. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the cause of the recent riot at a meeting of the East African Indian National Congress in Nairobi; how many persons were injured to a sufficient extent to require hospital treatment; why the police intervened and on whose authority; whether any arrests have been made in connection with these disturbances; and whether this congress has yet appointed any representative to proceed to London to give evidence before the Joint Select Committee on Closer Union in East Africa?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Dr. Drummond Shiels)It is understood that the cause of the disturbance was a dispute between rival sections regarding the appointment of a new secretary and executive committee. Of approximately 1,000 persons present, two were injured and attended, hospital, but were not detained. The police intervened on the authority of the Superintendent of Police, Nairobi, to prevent a breach of the peace and to prevent the disturbance assuming serious proportions. One person was detained by the police for a few minutes for inquiry, but was released by order of the Superintendent. The Acting-Governor of Kenya, who has been consulted by my Noble Friend, understands that the East African Indian National Congress had not, last week, yet appointed any representative to come to give evidence before 958 the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Closer Union.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORECan the hon. Member say whether the dispute about the general secretary was a dispute between Hindus and Mohammedans or a dispute between Kenya and Tanganyika?
§ Dr. SHIELSI am sorry, but I have no information on that point.