HC Deb 16 December 1953 vol 522 cc375-6
53. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the arrest of Mrs. Jagan.

Mr. Lyttelton

Mrs. Jagan and nine other persons were arrested and charged under the Emergency Order with holding an illegal meeting on 13th December. They were released on bail and their case came before the magistrates yesterday; but as the matter is still sub judice, it would be undesirable for me to give further details at present.

Miss Lee

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that at the first possible moment he will restore the right of free public meeting in British Guiana, and will he take steps to see that he does not create the impression that there is little difference between British rule and Fascist or Communist rule?

Mr. Lyttelton

May I say to the hon. Lady that I think her supplementary question was a little tendentious. One of our objects is to restore normal conditions in British Guiana following on the attempts made by the P.P.P. to make it into a Communist State.

Dr. Morgan

A disgraceful answer.