§ 29. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will appoint a commission of inquiry, under an independent chairman, to investigate the disturbances in the Southern Province of Nyasaland.
§ Mr. LytteltonI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the Questions on this subject from the hon. Members for Deptford (Sir L. Plummer) and Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 2nd December, 1953.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs it not a fact that 11 Africans were killed in the Cholo disturbances and that these deaths were not considered at the first inquiry? Will the right hon. Gentleman take it, as a result of my visit to the area, that great land hunger exists there and that the question of land tenure was not considered by, and was not in the terms of reference of, the inquiry which was held some time ago.
§ Mr. LytteltonThat is a little beside the point. The facts of the disturbance are well known to the Nyasaland Government. There may be cause for action by the Government, but I do not think there is need for an inquiry.