HC Deb 21 July 1937 vol 326 cc2190-3
34. Mr. Lunn

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the names of the Commission to inquire into the recent labour dispute in Trinidad and the terms of reference?

40. Mr. Petherick

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is able to give the House any information concerning the constitution of the Commission of Inquiry, promised by the Governor of Trinidad, and the names of the persons who will serve on the Commission; and when it is expected they will begin their inquiry?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I have invited certain gentlemen to serve on this Commission, but I am not yet in a position to give the names of the members of the Commission. It will be composed of a chairman, two members, and a secretary from this country, and two members from Trinidad. It will begin its inquiry as early as is possible. Its terms of reference will be: To inquire into and report upon the origin and character of the recent disturbances in the Colony of Trinidad and Tobago and all matters relating thereto, to consider the adequacy of the steps taken to deal with those disturbances, and to make recommendations.

Mr. Lunn

Will the report of this Commission be made known to Members of this House?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Undoubtedly. The Commission is being paid for by the Legislature of Trinidad. The report will be published, and I will see that copies are available here.

Major Owen

In view of the great strategic importance of this island and of the fact that it is practically the only source of supply, within British Dominions, of oil in case of emergency, will the right hon. Gentleman consider making more adequate provision for the protection of law and order within the island, and also for the establishment of a naval base there?

Mr. Riley

Will there be a representative of the Trinidad workers on the Commission of Inquiry?

Mr. Petherick

Will my right hon. Friend say what are the names of the two members from Trinidad on the Commission?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I can answer those two questions together. The answer to the hon. Member opposite is "No."

Mr. Riley

Why not?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Simply because this is to be an entirely impartial inquiry. Neither the employers nor the strikers should be on the Commission, but should give their evidence before it. I may say that the two Trinidad members already selected are Judge Brown and a Mr. Jones, an officer of the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture in Trinidad, who has no connection with the riots. With regard to the representatives from this country, there will be a chairman, a gentleman connected with the trade union movement, and an ex-Colonial civil servant with no previous connection with Trinidad. It is essential that this should be an entirely outside inquiry, to which all sides can make their representations.

Mr. Lunn

If I put down a further question a week hence, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give a full list of the Commissioners?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I hope so. As I say, I have invited certain gentlemen and have received their replies, but there is great difficulty in adjusting the dates when it will be convenient for them to go to Trinidad.

42. Mr. A. Reed

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the information withheld during the censorship of news from Trinidad during the recent labour disturbances there can now be released?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I have learned from the Governor that the censorship of news was removed on 13th July. I presume, therefore, that any information which may have been withheld has now been released.

43. Mr. Reed

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Corporal King, reported to have been killed during the rioting, was cornered by a number of native strikers after he had broken a limb in jumping from a window of a house; that the strikers then poured petrol on him and, having paused first to empty his pockets, set him alight causing him to be burnt to death; and whether any success has attended the efforts which presumably have been made to bring to justice the perpetrators of this murder?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The Governor reports that in the darkness of the evening of 19th June Corporal King of the Trinidad Police was separated from a small body of police and was chased by a crowd of men and women who assaulted him with sticks and stones. He was caught and thrown into a back yard, where he was stoned. Paraffin was poured over him and was lighted. It is not yet known whether he died before or after burning. I understand that there is no evidence that he jumped from a window or broke a limb. It is believed that some 15 dollars were stolen from his person by the crowd. In connection with this revolting murder seven men and five women were being charged before a magistrate on 19th July. I have asked for an early report of the result of these proceedings.

Major Owen

In view of this outrage, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that there should be more adequate provision for the safeguarding of lives and for the maintenance of law and order in that island?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

It is obvious that the incidents that have taken place in the recent disturbances, which are to be inquired into by a commission, call for a serious investigation as to the police organisation. The incident I have just related is such a grave example of what may happen that we cannot afford to have such incidents happen again.