§ 24. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can inform the House regarding the strike of the Commercial Motor Transport Union in South-West Nigeria, stating how long the strike lasted; what were the demands of the strikers; and whether the Government granted full facilities to the leaders of the union to negotiate a settlement of the members' grievances or whether any obstacles were placed in the way of negotiations?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have ascertained from the Acting-Governor of Nigeria that a strike organised by owners of commercial motor vehicles in Southern Nigeria began on 7th January and lasted five days. No demands were addressed to the Government of Nigeria by the strikers either immediately before or during the strike, but it is understood that the strikers were dissatisfied with the licence lees in force and that they alleged irregularities by motor traffic police. The Acting-Governor reports that no obstacles were placed in the way of negotiations, and that it was made clear to the leaders that any representations they wished to make would be impartially examined with a view to improvement of the economics of the transport services. The Government has since issued a public statement to this effect. The Acting-Governor adds that the complaints against the police will be investigated.