§ 38. Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement as to the present position of the four Jamaican trade union leaders, Richard Hart, Frank Hill, Arthur Henry and Ken Hill, who were arrested and detained in October, 1942, under the Jamaican Defence Regulations; have these men had an opportunity of being heard before a competent tribunal and with what result; is he aware that the trade unions, of which these men are leaders, deny that any of them have engaged in any kind of illegal activity; and whether, in view of the strong public feeling in Jamaica regarding these arrests, he will have an inquiry made into the circumstances which led to them?
§ 44. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies before what court or tribunal was the case involving charges against four members of the Peoples' National Party, Jamaica, heard; the precise charges; and the result?
§ Colonel StanleyI would refer the hon. Members to the replies given to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) on 17th December, 1942, and 28th January, 1943. I do not know whether the persons referred to have yet exercised their right of appeal to the Advisory Committee?
§ Mr. RileyDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that involved in the detention of these men is the question whether the unions have the right to appoint their own officials?
§ Colonel StanleyNo, I am not aware of that, because it is not the case. The detention of these people has nothing to do with their normal trade union activities, as I have explained before.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that these charges could not have been brought against these men in this country and that some of the charges made against them have been found to be groundless?
§ Colonel StanleyNo, I do not appreciate that fact. They have the remedy of reference to an Advisory Committee. I have not yet heard that they have exercised that right of appeal.