11. Mr. David Adamsasked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether the memorial sent from the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union in Jamaica has been considered; and whether, in view of the assurances contained in the memorial, he is prepared either to release Alexander Bustamante from detention, or, if he is held to have been guilty of an offence, to see that he is brought for trial before the proper court?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. George Hall)The memorial has been considered. My Noble Friend decided to adhere to the decision, of which my hon. Friend has already been informed, that Mr. Bustamante should be detained for as long as is considered necessary in the interests of public security.
Mr. AdamsSurely my hon. Friend will agree that the continuous detention of this man, without being charged or without trial, is undesirable?
§ Mr. HallMr. Bustamante could have appealed against his detention to one of the advisory committees which was set up, but he has not done so.