§ 36. Mr. Francis Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the reasons for the dismissal from the Education Service of Mr. Gerald Awuma, of Ho, Secretary of the United Nations Association in the British Trust Territory of Togoland; on what grounds he was subsequently arrested; and whether Mr. Awuma has now been released and reinstated.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsMr. Awuma was not in the Education Service of the Gold Coast. He was Secretary of a district education committee, which is not an official appointment. He was dismissed from this post by the unanimous decision of the committee because, in spite of previous warnings and of advice from administrative officers, he was unable to work in harmony with some of the native authorities who are represented on the committee. I understand that Mr. Awuma is at present awaiting trial on a charge arising out of an alleged attempt to deceive a public officer. He is not under arrest.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWould my hon. Friend be prepared to go closely into the details of this case and to receive further representations from the World Federation of the United Nations Association?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThis man is not an employee of the Government and I cannot go into the details of his dismissal, because that is not a matter with which we are concerned. On the question of the charge, that is a judicial matter and it would not be right for me to go into it.