HC Deb 20 July 1932 vol 156 cc2246-7
13. Mr. SWAN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state if there have been any arrests for political reasons in the Sudan lately of officers or civilians, and, if so, how many, and on what charges?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)

As far as I am aware, the only person lately arrested in the Sudan for reasons which might be described as political is Lieutenant AH Abdel Latif, who was tried in the circumstances which I described in my reply to the hon. Member on 6th July.

Mr. SWAN

Is my hon. Friend aware that there are five lieutenants—three in the Fourteenth Regiment and one lieutenant of the 10th Sudanese Regiment—who to-day are having their cases inquired into by the authorities for supposed political offences?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Yes. I am aware of that.

Mr. SWAN

Are these men being tried for military or political offences?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

As I understand it, they are under detention for offences against military authority.

Mr. SWAN

Will my hon. Friend make inquiry and see whether there is any validity in my statement?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I have given an answer to the hon. Member, and I do not know that there is any necessity for further inquiry.