§ 13. Mr. LUNNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will institute an inquiry into the labour disturbances which took place in St. Kitts, British West Indies, on 29th January last and, in particular, why the Governor did not try to negotiate an agreement between the planters and the strikers; why he called out the troops against the 956 strikers; how many people were killed and wounded; and what steps have been taken to investigate the justice of the strikers' demands and to satisfy such as seem reasonable?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am not at present in possession of all the information for which I have asked the Governor. As regards the latter part of the hon. Member's question, the local defence force were called upon to assist the police, after the latter had been assaulted and stoned, and the mob had refused to disperse; and subsequently, on 31st January, when incendiarism had occurred in the cane fields, a party of marines from one of His Majesty's ships was landed. Three persons were killed and nine wounded on 29th January, when the situation was such that the police were compelled to open fire. As regards the demand of estate labour for higher wages, I may explain that the rates of pay given by planters in St. Kitts-Nevis are dependent on the price paid for canes to the planters by the company operating the St. Kitts sugar factory. This latter question is at present under consideration between the company and the planters.
§ Mr. LUNNMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will institute an inquiry into the whole of the facts, seeing that he has only unofficial information?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have said that I want to be seized of the full facts before I come to any conclusion.
§ Mr. THORNEIs there any board in existence through which the workmen and the planters can express their views and endeavour to come to a settlement in case of a dispute?
§ Mr. LUNNIs it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to inform us how the dispute arose, the wages paid and the real facts of the situation?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have asked the Governor to send me a full report on the whole situation, and as I am not yet in possession of the facts, I cannot really answer the question.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIf it is a confidential report I should like to see it first, but I will give the House all relevant facts when I have received them.
§ Captain PETER MACDONALD; Does my right hon. Friend accept the statement in the question, that the Governor called out the troops against the strikers? Were they not called out to keep order?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am obliged to the hon. and gallant Gentleman. I think my answer made it perfectly plain that whatever may be the origin of the trouble the police only acted under the greatest provocation and in case of necessity and that the marines and sailors who were landed from the ships were landed for the essential purpose of preserving order.