HC Deb 01 June 1954 vol 528 cc1084-9
Mr. Dugdale (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the re-imposition of the state of emergency in the Province of Buganda?

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Oliver Lyttelton)

As the House will be aware, the Governor of Uganda yesterday re-imposed a state of emergency in the Province of Buganda. This step has been taken because an attempted trade boycott is now being intensified by threats and intimidation to the public in Buganda. Towards the end of April, the Uganda National Congress called for a three-months' buying boycott of everything but "bare necessities."

The boycott started fairly peaceably, but during the last week members of the public have been forcibly prevented from selling and buying goods; cases have been reported of people being compelled to return goods which they have bought, and coffee trees belonging to people who have ignored the boycott have been cut down. Intimidation has greatly increased, and criminal elements have been taking advantage of the situation.

The measures which the Government of Uganda have decided to take have the unanimous support of the unofficial Members of the Legislative Council, both Africans and others.

The Governor has decided, under the Emergency Regulations, to suspend the issue of three newspapers which for many months have been consistently stirring up disaffection against the Government and the Regents of Buganda and which have contained articles stirring up racial hatred. The Special Constabulary has been called up and troops are available should they be required, but at present the situation remains calm, and I have received no report of disturbances.

Finally, I should like again to emphasise that the Governor's action, the necessity for which I greatly regret, has been taken solely to enable the Government to carry out its first duty of maintaining law and order and to protect the law-abiding public from the activities of a comparatively small number of irresponsible agitators.

Mr. Dugdale

What is the effect of this state of emergency on the deliberations of Professor Hancock, who is now in Uganda? Secondly, what is the position of the Under-Secretary of State who, according to the newspapers, is now on a private visit to Uganda? Is it not unusual for an Under-Secretary to be on private business in a Territory at the moment when his chief declares a state of emergency in it? Thirdly, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that although we on this side of the House are very tolerant, we find it a little difficult to accept the fact that the right hon. Gentleman is constantly declaring states of emergency in the various Territories for which he is responsible?

Mr. Lyttelton

In regard to the last part of the supplementary question, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the number of states of emergency declared by this Government during their tenure of office is very much smaller than that of the previous Government. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will turn up the answer which I made on that point on a previous occasion. With regard to the second matter, the word "private" is a misnomer. It is a routine visit which happened to coincide with this situation. In regard to the third question, I cannot prophesy, but we hope—and I am quoting from the Governor—that the measures to restore law and order will create a calmer atmosphere in which the discussions may take place.

Mr. F. M. Bennett

Can my right hon. Friend indicate the racial composition of the Legislative Council unofficial members who approve of this action?

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, Sir. The Legislative Council consists of 28 representative members, of whom 14 are Africans—three from Buganda—seven Asians, seven Europeans and 19 nominated members, six of whom are Africans—three from Buganda—and nine ex-officio members.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Would the right hon. Gentleman indicate the cause of the boycott, which has been proceeding for some time? Secondly, would he indicate that a peaceful boycott is a legitimate political action and that the declaration of a state of emergency is not declaring a peaceful boycott, as a legitimate political action, to be illegal? Has it now been decided that the request of the Africans to have assistance from outside when they meet the Hancock Committee shall be met, and has the ban upon outside assistance now been removed by Her Majesty's Government?

Mr. Lyttelton

I do not think that the last part of the question really arises out of the original Question. I will let the right hon. Gentleman know the position; I have not the facts in mind.

The boycott was solely against the Deportation Ordinance. I do not propose to answer the right hon. Gentleman's question about whether a trade boycott is a legitimate political weapon. What is certainly not a peaceful political weapon is intimidation to enforce a boycott which otherwise has been unsuccessful.

Mr. Attlee

As the right hon. Gentleman has quoted from a document may I take it that he will lay the document? He will know that it is a Rule of the House that if he quotes from a document, as he did in his reply, he must lay the whole document.

Mr. Lyttelton

To which document does the right hon. Gentleman refer?

Mr. Attlee

The right hon. Gentleman quoted something. He said "I quote from the Governor's letter," or something.

Mr. Lyttelton

I thought I added the words "in this sense."

Mr. Fenner Brockway

Had the Uganda National Congress not made an appeal for calm and non-violence before the state of emergency? Can the right hon. Gentleman give evidence of a single case in which there has been violence against any person who was against the boycott?

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, Sir. I do not say physical violence in that sense, but as I have said, intimidation by the cutting down of trees belonging to those who have been ignoring the boycott has taken place.

Mr. Alport

Has my right hon. Friend any information as to the attitude of the Regents of Buganda in this matter? Is he aware that the people of Uganda greatly welcome this action, which prevents the state of security in the Protectorate from deteriorating and getting out of control before trouble happens rather than, as in the case of previous Administrations, after it happens?

Mr. Lyttelton

The Regents have expressed themselves strongly against the campaign of intimidation. With regard to the second part of my hon. Friend's question, I hope that these measures will restore peace and order, but it is a little early to say.

Mr. J. Johnson

The right hon. Gentleman has said that the unofficial representatives are solidly behind the Governor. Does that include the three Buganda Members? What is the attitude of the Lukiko in this matter?

Mr. Lyttelton

The Council are all in favour of the measures which the Governor has taken. That goes for the three Buganda members. I do not know about the Lukiko. I am talking only about the unofficial Members.

Mrs. White

Why could a matter of cutting down trees not be dealt with in the ordinary course of the law rather than by declaring a state of emergency?

Mr. Lyttelton

I was citing only one instance. There are widespread cases of intimidation which have made these emergency Regulations necessary.

Mr. S. Silverman

In order to resolve the controversy that has developed as to who or what is being intimidated by whom, and what the majority of the people of Buganda desire, would the right hon. Gentleman undertake to hold free supervised elections in Buganda, and to abide by the result?

Mr. Lyttelton

No, Sir.

Mr. Brockway

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9, on a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, The declaration of a state of emergency in the Protectorate of Buganda. I submit that this is the earliest opportunity on which I could have raised this matter and that the matter is urgent and is of public importance; otherwise no state of emergency would have been declared.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House under the Standing Order, on a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, The declaration of a state of emergency in the Protectorate of Buganda. I cannot, myself, form the opinion that this is an urgent matter. It is one incident in a series of events which have been with us since December and I cannot find that it comes within the Standing Order. I would point out that on Friday there will be the Adjournment for the Whitsun Recess and if there was a desire to consider the question then I think that it could be fitted in.

Mr. Paget

On a point of order. Is there really anything at all which, in one sense, is not an event in a series of events? Is not the declaration of a state of emergency in itself and of its own right an event within the meaning of the rule?

Mr. Speaker

All events are connected in the long story of history, and it is possible to connect one event with another. What intended to convey was that this was not a new matter so as to bring it within the Standing Order on the ground of urgency. We have had it before, and I do not find that it comes within the Standing Order.

Mr. J. Griffiths

With due respect, arising out of your Ruling, Mr. Speaker, the declaration of a state of emergency is indeed both urgent and of the very greatest importance, but do I gather that your Ruling is on the ground that this arises out of incidents which have happened before and not that the emergency is not a matter of urgency and public importance?

Mr. Speaker

Had this been the first occasion on which this matter had arisen in this Territory, I could have come to a different opinion.

Mr. S. Silverman

With respect, Mr. Speaker, may I draw your attention to what seems to be a very close, if not exact, analogy, when your predecessor ruled that there was a prima facie case. I refer to the action taken in Palestine in June, 1946, by the then Government. The circumstances were closely parallel to this. There had been a history of disturbance, a series of events, a number of discussions and questions, and then emergency action by the Government precisely similar to that which the right hon. Gentleman has indicated to the House today. On that occasion I did what my hon. Friend the Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Fenner Brockway) has just done. Your predecessor ruled that there was a case and invited the House to say whether it supported me or not. There being a sufficient number there was, in fact, an Adjournment debate at 7 o'clock that night.

Mr. Speaker

I remember the occasion to which the hon. Member alludes, but I think that it would not be difficult to differentiate this from it. This is not the first time that we have had a declaration of emergency in this Protectorate. It has happened before. As far as I could understand from the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, nothing very startling has happened there yet. As I understood, this is merely a precautionary measure. If there were, as in other cases, widespread disorder it would of course put the matter in a different category altogether.

Mr. Brockway

May I say with respect that the very fact you, Sir, have said from the Chair that there is no indication of any great emergency in Buganda—no widespread disorder—is an argument for giving the House an opportunity to debate this matter, as it is an indication that the declaration of a state of emergency is unnecessary?

Mr. Speaker

That is another matter but it is not urgent. It is a matter of criticism of the Government. No, I must adhere to my Ruling. I have come to the best conclusion I can upon it.

Mr. Dugdale

On a further point of order. May I ask if the position is that if an emergency is declared in a Territory for the first time it becomes a matter which can be discussed in this House, but that if it is declared for the second or third time it cannot be discussed?

Mr. Speaker

I think that the right hon. Member is trying to over-simplify the matter. Every case must be looked at with its own circumstances and contingencies. I have to make the best judgment I can on this matter. From my recollection of what has happened in this Territory before, and what has happened today, I do not think that this can possibly be considered to be within the Standing Order, and I must so rule.