HC Deb 10 September 1941 vol 374 cc166-7
16. Mr. David Adams

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Mr. W. A. Domingo, arrested and interned at Kingston, Jamaica, upon arrival of the American vessel "Veragua," has yet been released, or what further steps are proposed relative to the same?

18. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further information respecting the detention of the Rev. W. Domingo; and whether any further detentions of West Indian political or working-class spokesmen and leaders have taken place?

The Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Shakespeare)

I have been asked to reply. Mr. Domingo has not been released; but the Governor of Jamaica has reported that he has revised the relevant Jamaica Defence Regulation to correspond exactly with the United Kingdom Regulation 18B and has brought the procedure of the local advisory committee into line with the procedure in this country. The Regulation is now so framed that Mr. Domingo will be able to have his objection heard by a new committee and in accordance with the revised procedure. As regards the second part of Question No. 18, my Noble Friend is not aware of any further detentions.

Mr. Adams

Will this person be charged before the committee at an early date, in view of the fact that three months have elapsed since he was arrested and without any charge being made against him?

Mr. Shakespeare

He has the same right as any British citizen in this country to appeal. The ultimate decision rests, of course, with the Governor.

Sir L. Lyle

Were the activities of Mr. Domingo calculated to impede or to help our war effort?

Mr. Creech Jones

Is it not a fact that, when he was in the United States, Mr. Domingo gave his whole-hearted support to our war effort, and is it not about time that the hearing of his case were expedited by the Governor of Jamaica?

Mr. Shakespeare

I take it for granted that the Governor would not exercise his power unless he had good reason for doing so.

Mr. Sorensen

Is it not the case that in the West Indies and in America the arrest of this man has given rise to very considerable resentment and to the impression that the arrest was due to political bias?