Dr. Jagan

HC Deb 14 April 1954 vol 526 cc1122-5

23. Miss Lee

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he proposes to restore complete freedom of movement to Dr. Cheddi Jagan and other members of the People's Progressive Party of British Guiana.

Mr. Hopkinson

The repeal of the orders imposing the restrictions is a matter for the Governor. I take this opportunity to say that my right hon. Friend fully supports the action which the Governor has found it necessary to take.

Miss Lee

Is the Minister aware that unless those orders are repealed and normal constitutional methods available for the People's Progressive Party to express its point of view, there is going to be more and more civil disobedience and more and more trouble?

Mr. Hopkinson

I am afraid that as long as Dr. Jagan and his friends continue their present behaviour, it will not be possible to repeal those orders.

Mr. Braine

Would my right hon. Friend agree that law and order regulations are made to be obeyed, and that it would bring Government into contempt if a man who has already brought his country to the edge of disaster should be allowed to flout these orders and regulations with impunity?

Mr. Fenner Brockway

Is it not the case that Dr. Jagan has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment only because he disobeyed the order which does not permit him to go outside the capital town, and does the Minister really think that that is the way in which to limit Communism in that country?

Mr. Hopkinson

I think that arises on the next Question.

Mr. Alport

Does my right hon. Friend not think that that is another example of the grave disservice done to the Colonial Territories in encouraging civil disobedience tactics, which can do nothing but harm to the interests of the great majority of the colonial people.

29. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mrs. Jagan have been arrested in British Guiana.

35. Sir L. Plummer

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the events which led to the arrest of Dr. Jagan and other members of the People's Popular Party in British Guiana.

51. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what charges Dr. Jagan and other members of the People's Popular Party have been arrested; and what arrangements are being made for their speedy trial.

Mr. Hopkinson

Dr. Jagan was arrested on 3rd April for violating the order restricting his movements to Georgetown. Mrs. Jagan and eight other members of the party were arrested on 4th April for holding an unlawful procession.

Dr. Jagan was released on bail on 5th April, but he was again arrested, together with seven other members of the party for holding an unlawful procession. They openly incited a crowd of some 2,000 outside P.P.P. Headquarters. Forty-nine other persons have been arrested in Georgetown on such charges as disorderly behaviour and assault.

In Berbice, 65 persons have been arrested for taking part in unlawful processions and meetings during demonstrations since the conviction of Dr. Jagan on 12th April. As regards arrangements for trial, a special magistrate has been assigned by the Chief Justice to hear all cases resulting from disorders in Georgetown.

Mr. Brockway

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that this repetition of the whole story of the Colonies, of India and everywhere else, does not have the effect of increasing democracy there but has the effect of increasing the very forces of Communism against which it is directed?

Mr. Hopkinson

There can be no doubt about it that we have to carry on as we have been doing to restore law and order in that territory. This is the first occasion, as far as I know, where any movement for any Colony's independence has taken the form of attempting to set up a Communist State.

34. Sir L. Plummer

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that Dr. Jagan and other mem- bers of the People's Popular Party who have been arrested are financially able to provide for their adequate defence; and if he will make arrangements to provide them with legal advice and aid.

Mr. Hopkinson

To judge from previous experience, there seems to be little doubt that the persons concerned are quite capable of looking after themselves in this respect.

Sir L. Plummer

Is the Minister aware that Dr. Jagan and Mr. Burnham were only able to return to British Guiana from this country as a result of the generosity of people in this country and that Mr. Sidney King and other defendants who were acquitted the other day were only able to be defended by equal generosity in this country? Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that justice should not be denied to people because they have no means in British Guiana, any more than it is denied to people in the same position in this country?

Mr. Hopkinson

The fact remains that Dr. Jagan and Mr. Burnham were able to take a six months' tour of the British Commonwealth, somehow or other, and were able to brief Mr. Pritt to defend two members of the P.P.P. in proceedings in British Guiana quite recently, and in the summary complaints against Dr. Jagan and seven others for holding an illegal procession only a day or so ago the defendants were represented by five counsel.