HC Deb 10 June 1952 vol 502 cc41-8
The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. John Foster)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a statement on recent events in the Bamangwato Reserve.

As hon. Members will remember, a deputation composed of certain members of the Bamangwato tribe recently visited this country, for the purpose of asking Her Majesty's Government to reverse the decision to which they had come with regard to the future of Seretse Khama. My noble Friend had two interviews with them. He listened to all that they had to say, which contained nothing new, and explained to them at length the reasons why it was not possible for the Government to alter their decision.

He also gave to them a document incorporating his statement to them, in order that they might transmit it to their fellow tribesmen, and told them that in order that the expenditure of their journey should not fall on the tribal funds, Her Majesty's Government would defray the cost of their tickets. It will therefore be clear that they were treated not only with courtesy but with generosity.

On 21st May the deputation arrived back in Serowe. On 26th May the District Commissioner proceeded to the kgotla ground in order to announce to the tribe the terms of my noble Friend's reply to the deputation and the Government's further policy. He found there a number of tribesmen, not large but extremely vociferous, who had obviously been organised to prevent the Government's views being communicated to the tribe; and in fact the statement could not be made. Tribesmen who wished to speak and to listen to the Government statement were prevented from doing so.

This was clearly a deliberate challenge to the authority of the Government and firm action became necessary. It was essential to prevent misuse of the traditional meeting place by a minority group. Accordingly, on 31st May the District Commissioner issued orders that no meetings should be held in the kgotla-place without his permission and that Khama's old law restricting the brewing and consumption of liquor should be strictly enforced.

Two attempts on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning to defy the first order were successfully dealt with by the police. But unfortunately on Sunday afternoon, 1st June, concerted attacks were made by a bigger crowd, many of them the worse for drink and among whom were many women, on the small force of police stationed at the kgotla ground. Two European officers, who with great gallantry stood their ground, were seriously injured, before being rescued by police reinforcements and eventually, in the face of a hail of stones and sticks, the police had to retire, leaving the mob in possession of the kgotla-ground. Three African policemen were unfortunately killed.

The situation remained difficult until reinforcements had been brought in from Basutoland and Southern Rhodesia. With the arrival of these reinforcements and the Commissioner of Police from Mafeking, the situation was rapidly restored. Raids in Serowe resulted in the arrest of the ringleaders and many of those responsible for Sunday's rioting. Constant patrolling restored order throughout the town. The police then turned to other areas which might be affected. The Administration and the police are now in complete control and the situation is expected steadily to improve.

It is clear from all the reports that my noble Friend has received that this was a deliberate attempt by a small faction of the tribe to flout the authority of Government. Only a minority of the tribe took part in the disturbances—a maximum of 800 out of a total population in the Reserve of 100,000. It is significant that after the kgotla on 26th May, many leading Bamangwato, concerned at the deliberate defiance of Government and the discourtesy shown to Her Majesty's representative, went to the Administration for advice and guidance.

Secondly, a considerable proportion of the rioters were under the influence of drink. This in itself is evidence of that serious deterioration in the tribe to which reference has been made in earlier statements. The first step must be to restore law and order and to punish the ringleaders for this breach of the peace, which has led to the death of three police officers in the execution of their duty. Steps are already being taken to this end, and also to transmit to the general body of the tribesmen the statement of Government policy which it was the object of the dissident faction to keep from them. There is good reason to hope that, when that has been done, the great majority of the tribe, who are moderate, loyal and peaceable, will turn to the essential business of selecting a new chief.

I apologise, Mr. Speaker, for the length of the statement, but my noble Friend thought that the House would wish to hear as soon as possible about the events in the Reserve.

Mr. J. Griffiths

While I join with the hon. and learned Gentleman in expressing regret at the disturbances and sympathy with the relatives of those who have been killed and injured, may I ask him three questions? First, do I gather—it was not clear from his statement—that the District Commissioner proceeded to the kgotla ground in order to convey to the tribesmen the decision of the Secretary of State? Will the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether arrangements were made for the convening of a kgotla so that the delegation could themselves report to their fellow tribesmen on the interview with the Secretary of State?

Secondly, it has been said—and I should like the hon. and learned Gentleman to confirm it or otherwise—that the solicitor who advises the Bamangwato tribe, Mr. Frankel, who accompanied the delegation here, on hearing that there was some disturbance, offered his good services to intervene to prevent further disturbance and that his offer was not accepted. Has the hon. and learned Gentleman any news of that, and, if so, does he not think it would be wise to use the services of anyone who can bring his influence to bear to prevent disturbances of this kind?

The third question is this. Is it the hon. and learned Gentleman's information that the disturbances were due in part to the fact that the tribe have made up their minds that they will not make nominations or select a new chief, and if that turns out to be the view of the majority, what then will be the policy of Her Majesty's Government?

Mr. Foster

With regard to the first question, the deputation was certainly allowed to go to the kgotla, and, in fact, the date of the kgotla was put off from 23rd to 26th May at the request of those who came from England. But it now becomes clear that the reasons given for necessitating that adjournment were not made in good faith. The delegation had arrived on 20th May, and the adjournment to 26th May was in order to pack the kgotla with agitators.

With regard to the second question, I do not know anything about the offer of the solicitor, and, of course, we must rely on the Administration to deal with that matter. However, I will take note of the information which the right hon. Gentleman vouchsafed.

With regard to the third question, it seems clear that the disturbances were the work only of a minority. Many of the Bamangwato tribe, as I said in the statement, approached the District Commissioner after the disturbances on 26th May and before the serious riots and expressed their dissatisfaction and regret at what had happened. It seems to us that once this minority has been firmly dealt with, the tribe will turn to the election of a new chief.

Mr. Griffiths

May I follow the hon. and learned Gentleman's first answer a bit further? I gather that the date of the kgotla was postponed in order to enable the delegation to report. Does the hon. and learned Gentleman now tell us that at that adjourned kgotla on 26tb May it was made clear that the Administration had invited the delegation to report on their interview with the Secretary of State?

Mr. Foster

I cannot tell the right hon. Gentleman that, because the kgotla was entirely abortive. The District Commissioner was going to give the message, but nothing happened because he was shouted down. There was this group who were determined that he should not convey to the tribe what had been decided in London.

Mr. Griffiths

This is rather important. My information—it may be wrong—is that some at least of the resentment felt was at the fact that the kgotla had been called. It was known that the District Commissioner was to convey the views of the Secretary of State but that no arrangements had been made for the delegation to report. Will the hon. and learned Gentleman make an inquiry into that?

Mr. Foster

I will certainly make inquiries.

Mr. Fenner Brockway

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman make a very careful inquiry as to the reports he has received, because it is the desire of all of us that this state of affairs should not continue in Bechuanaland? Will he particularly ask whether the tribe itself does not claim the right to call kgotlas and that a kgotla was held at which the full statement of the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations was read, that that was followed by a report of the delegation, and that all the facts were stated to the tribe?

Secondly, can the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether his Department has received an offer from Seretse Khama to assist in the present situation in Bechuanaland and whether his Ministry will respond to that offer?

Thirdly, in view of the importance of Bechuanaland becoming a model of racial equality because of its vicinity to the Union of South Africa, will the hon. and learned Gentleman do his utmost to secure a situation there where the democratic desires of the people may be fulfilled?

Mr. Foster

With regard to the first question, the hon. Gentleman's information is entirely at variance with the information received by the Department, but naturally I will have inquiries made. With regard to the last question, it is the view of Her Majesty's Government that these breaches of law and order must be firmly dealt with.

Mr. Leslie Hale

Whose law?

Mr. Foster

The hon. Gentleman asks, "whose law?" I should have thought anybody's law would condemn the death of three African policemen.

The second question asked by the hon. Gentleman was with regard to the offer made by Seretse Khama. I have no knowledge of it myself, but I will pass it on to my noble Friend.

Miss Lee

There was one passage in the hon. and learned Gentleman's statement which I should like to have clarified. On the first occasion when he used the phrase "the worse for drink," he at the same time said that the women took a very active part in those demonstrations. I know we all want to be careful about statements which go out from this House, and I think the impression could legitimately have been given that the women were drunk, and that therefore their action was irresponsible and unrepresentative. I think it is very important that we should have this point clear, because Mrs. Seretse Khama got on very well with her husband's tribeswomen. There is a good deal of strong feeling there. Many of us were impressed by the members of the delegation to this country. They seemed responsible and, in fact, distinguished men, and therefore it is very hard for us to accept the impression given in the statement that this was just an unrepresentative rabble and that the women taking part were drunk.

Mr. Foster

I am afraid it is the fact as regards many of the people taking part. There was a lot of drunkenness about, and, as I understand, it was a minority rabble. The kgotla had been packed with agitators and many of the tribespeople, men and women, were the worse for drink. The hon. Lady probably knows it is contrary to tribal custom to introduce women into the kgotla. If they were in that state, one can well understand the results of what happened.

Mr. Snow

The hon. and learned Gentleman will recall that twice within recent weeks I asked him whether a meeting had taken place between the Primate of All England and his noble Friend on this matter. Twice he told me and this House that he had no knowledge of this meeting. Is he aware that the Lord Bishop of Lichfield, who is a constituent of mine, has announced at a diocesan conference that he has had such a meeting with Lord Salisbury, and will the hon. and learned Gentleman be frank with the House and tell us what happened at that meeting?

Mr. Foster

If the hon. Gentleman says the Lord Bishop of Lichfield had a meeting, I am also unaware of that. If he says the Primate had a meeting, I am unaware of what took place at that meeting.

Mr. Snow

The hon. and learned Gentleman should know what went on at that meeting.

Mr. Driberg

Would the hon. and learned Gentleman at least agree that there were no disorders at all in the tribe during the quite long period when Seretse Khama was living there, with his wife, after their marriage? Would he make a statement on the resignation of Keoboka, and is he satisfied about the legality of all the present actions of the District Commissioner?

Mr. Foster

I am satisfied about the legality. I seem to remember disorders when Tshekedi was not allowed by a factious rabble of men and women to make a statement about observers sent out by the late Government.

Mr. Driberg

The hon. and learned Gentleman has not answered my question about Keoboka.

Mr. Foster

Keoboka, I understand, resigned as chief tribal representative, and he has also been deprived by the District Commissioner of his warrant.

Mr. Driberg

What does the hon. and learned Gentleman think of that?

Mr. Foster

I think he was right.

Mr. Paget

The hon. and learned Gentleman referred to a minority. Is there any doubt at all that the vast majority of the tribe want Seretse to come back, and when the hon. and learned Gentleman refers to a minority is he not, in fact, referring to the leadership of the people who want Seretse back and who always, as against the general followers, are the minority? Does it mean anything except that some of those people who want Seretse back are more active than others?

Mr. Foster

That activity resulted in the murder of three policemen. I referred to a minority because our information is—and we believe it—that the majority of the tribe are not murderers and drunkards. There was a minority which did murder three African policemen. The hon. and learned Gentleman knows that during the debate it was agreed that there was a majority of the tribe who wanted Seretse back but, for the reasons adopted by the hon. and learned Gentleman's own Government, and with which we agree, we thought it would not be in the interests of the tribe that Seretse should return.