HC Deb 26 February 1951 vol 484 cc1748-50
Mr. Eden

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make on the riots in Grenada?

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. James Griffiths)

Yes, Sir. A stoppage of work occurred at the end of January on three cocoa estates. The Grenada Mental and Manual Workers' Union objected to an agreement between producers and another union, which, until now, has represented the workers on these estates. By this agreement the bonus paid on wages fluctuates quarterly according to the price of cocoa, and has been reduced during the present quarter consequential on the fall in price. No wage claims have been made, but the Grenada Mental and Manual Workers' Union seeks recognition by the employers. The Government Labour Officer has been in touch with both parties, urging negotiations. A joint appeal to the same effect has been made by the churches, and the Acting-Governor has also issued an appeal.

On 19th February, widespread strikes began, and there have been many acts of intimidation and sabotage. An emergency order was made, and two of the leaders of the strike were detained. Parties from H.M.S. Devonshire have been landed and police have been brought in from other islands. Some Government property has been destroyed by fire, and repair work to communications damaged by heavy rains has been obstructed. Police were compelled to fire on rioters, and two persons were wounded. The latest report received this morning is that the situation seems a little less tense.

Mr. Eden

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there are now sufficient forces available to deal with the immediate situation. The merits are not very easy for anybody to follow. The first task is to restore law and order so that the merits of the dispute can be examined. Are there forces enough to do that?

Mr. Griffiths

The report I have is that there are. I hope that there will be an early resumption of work so that the whole matter can be investigated. I am assured that the forces are sufficient now.

Mr. A. Fenner Brockway

While recognising the seriousness and the difficulty of this situation, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the two trade union leaders who have been detained are to be charged and placed on public trial?

Mr. Griffiths

I would like to have notice of that question.

Mr. Pickthorn

For the benefit of those who have particular interest locally, can the right hon. Gentleman, by chance, tell us the names of the three estates concerned? Secondly, when he speaks of the unions which, until now, have represented those workers, can he tell us since when, and what was the whole period of such representation?

Mr. Griffiths

I cannot give the names of the three cocoa estates where the strike began last January. In regard to the second part of the supplementary question, there is obviously in this a question of which of these two unions should represent the workers. That question should be decided on a basis of membership. All I am concerned with at the moment is that there should be early resumption of work and an end to this period of disturbance so that the whole question of which of these unions should represent the workers may be capable of settlement.

Mr. Pickthorn

The right hon. Gentleman must have misunderstood my question. I am not arguing at all. From what date was it that the workers were represented by either of these unions? When did the history of representation by one or other of these unions begin?

Mr. Griffiths

My information is that the union which has the agreement has been recognised and has been responsible for the negotiations for a considerable number of years.

Mr. Peter Smithers

Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm or deny the report that an agricultural experiment station in Grenada has been burned? If it is true, is it not, in view of the fact that the West Indies depend for their prosperity solely on agriculture, most deplorable for the people of the West Indies?

Mr. Griffiths

I have seen those reports but I have no official confirmation of them.