§ 26. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make concerning the work of the Trinidad Commission of Inquiry; and the present condition of the island?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I am unable at present to add anything to the reply returned to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on 10th November. The situation in the colony remains calm.
§ 37. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the charge against Uriah Butler, leader of the Trinidad oilfield workers strike; whether the reward offered by the Government for his arrest has been paid; whether he was permitted to give evidence before the Commission of Inquiry; and whether conciliatory machinery for the settlement of industrial disputes had been established before the strike occurred?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThere were two charges: the utterance of words having a seditious intention, and incitement to murder. I understand that the reward has been paid. Butler was permitted to give 1205 evidence before the Commission Legislative provision for the setting up of industrial courts had been made, but I understand no court had in fact been constituted.
§ Mr. SorensenIs it likely that this man will be actually brought for trial and sentenced, if he is judged to be guilty?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI think he is now being tried before a judge and jury.