HC Deb 08 February 1939 vol 343 cc940-1
51. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of considerable disturbance associated with a strike in Sierra Leone; how many arrests have been made and the nature of the charges made against those in custody; and what steps are being taken to deal with the grievances of those on strike?

Mr. M. MacDonald

There have been two strikes in progress—among the employés of the War Department and of a coaling company. There was some disturbance on 21st January, and on 6th February a clash occurred between strikers and police, resulting in 25 arrests and injury to five policemen. With regard to the second part of the question, I have not yet received details of the charges made against those arrested on 6th February. But before that incident, nine persons had been arrested of whom one was charged with false imprisonment and assault, four with assault and four with unlawful assembly. With regard to the last part of the question, I have no information, though I understand that the strike of War Department employés is now Over.

Mr. Sorensen

Does not the right hon. Gentleman feel that it should have been his business to acquaint himself immediately with the cause of this strike and to have taken steps to remove the grievances?

Mr. MacDonald

I am acquainted with the causes of the strike. What the hon. Member asked was what steps were being taken to remove those causes, and it is on that aspect of the matter that I have not yet got full information.

Mr. Creech Jones

Will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions that the secretary of the trade union concerned should be immediately released, and will he also indicate what he means by the prosecution of strikers for unlawful assembly? Is it that they are being prosecuted for peaceful picketing?

Mr. MacDonald

With regard to the first part of the question, the answer is in the negative. With regard to the second part, the individuals who were arrested for unlawful assembly were contravening a proclamation which the Acting-Governor had issued under Section 34 of the Police Ordinance.