HC Deb 14 July 1948 vol 453 cc1194-5
40. Mr. Edgar Granville

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the six men detained during the Gold Coast disturbances, whose names are known to him, have been brought to trial or given their liberty.

Mr. Creech Jones

The Removal Orders made against the six men were revoked on 11th April.

Mr. Granville

Can my right hon. Friend say whether after arrest these men were taken to another part of the country; whether, if they have been returned to their homes, any charge was made against them, and whether their release was made absolutely clear?

Mr. Creech Jones

They were taken from their homes but are now back in their homes. The whole matter is the subject of a report which I hope will be available to the House by the end of this month.

Mr. Frank Byers

Is it not a fact that at no time were charges made against these people, and can the Colonial Secretary give an assurance that we shall not have this sort of thing happening in the Colonies in the future?

Mr. Creech Jones

I would prefer to make no statement until the report is available to the House.

Mr. Gallacher

This was not a "Communist plot."

Mr. Granville

Are these very drastic emergency powers still in operation or have they been removed? Is the same thing still going on?

Mr. Creech Jones

They arose out of certain emergency regulations made under ordinances in the Gold Coast and are no longer operative.