HC Deb 21 May 1952 vol 501 cc473-4
Mr. Dugdale

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on the disturbance which occurred on Monday at Yuba Barracks in Nigeria.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)

Yes, Sir.

A disturbance among West African troops of the Command Workshops at Lagos took place on 19th May. As a result, two officers were injured and damage was done to stores. Order was restored by an infantry detachment and the civil police. Investigation into the cause of the disturbance and the extent of the damage was put in hand on the same day.

A detailed report on this incident, and on the action subsequently taken, is being prepared urgently, but has not yet been received. I cannot, therefore, make any further comment at the moment.

Mr. Dugdale

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman two questions? Will he assure the House that, as far as he knows, this was purely a local disturbance which does not affect troops generally in Nigeria; and, second, will he ask his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies to pay special attention to this matter during his forthcoming visit to Nigeria?

Mr. Head

As far as I know, this was a local incident, and I am quite certain that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies will have this matter in mind when he pays his forthcoming visit to Nigeria.

Mr. Fenner Brockway

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider discussing with his right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary the desirability of having some rather broader inquiry into this matter, as the incident appears to arise from the circumstances in which the African troops have been transferred from civilian accommodation to the barracks which have been provided?

Mr. Head

I think the best decision on the scope of the inquiry might be made when the full facts and circumstances are known to me, which they are not at the present time.