HC Deb 20 June 1951 vol 489 c499
20. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Kalabaries were recently charged with complicity in murder and how many were acquitted; whether the £20,000 fine has been paid in full; and whether, in respect of similar heavy collective fines in the future, he will consider making part of this repayable on condition that no further serious crimes were committed over a long period or that, if they were, the culprits were handed over to justice by the villagers among whom the culprits had lived.

Mr. Dugdale

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 2nd May. The fine was paid in full on 4th June. The Governor has power to return the whole or part of a collective fine if those who have paid it have kept the peace and been of good behaviour for such period as he may determine.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the Minister aware that he has not answered the last sentence of my Question? Could he give an observation on that? Do I understand that the Minister cannot reply to that point?

Mr. Dugdale

I think I have replied to the Question perfectly adequately.

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