HC Deb 16 December 1953 vol 522 cc356-7
17. Mr. J. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the circumstances which led to the sentences of imprisonment and corporal punishment imposed by the District Commissioner's Court at Fort Rosebery on 29th October, on 82 Africans, including juveniles.

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, Sir. A demonstration against sentences imposed for offences against the Fishing Regulations took place outside the Court at Samfya on 23rd September. The following day, at a neighbouring village, a large crowd threatened and manhandled a patrol of police and district messengers. There were no injuries, and ringleaders in the disturbance were arrested. At the request of the Provincial Commissioner, police reinforcements were drafted to the area and 82 persons have since been arrested and convicted on various charges of unlawful assembly, assault, resisting the police, contempt of court and attempt to rescue. The situation has now greatly improved and the police reinforcements have been withdrawn.

Mr. Hynd

Can the Minister say whether these objections to the Fishing Regulations were associated with the protest against Federation, as that was the allegation? Can he also say whether these punishments were meted out to individuals personally responsible for the disturbance, or were these people charged as examples to others, indiscriminately?

Mr. Lyttelton

Neither suggestion is correct. This had nothing to do with Federation and the individuals who were sentenced were all tried in open court.