§ 1. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will set up a judicial inquiry to investigate and report on the causes of the recent disturbances in Nyasaland.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. John Foster)I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the Questions on this subject from the hon. Members for Deptford (Sir L. Plummer) and Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 2nd December, 1953.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Under Secretary agree that where discontent becomes articulate and results in violence, as in Nyasaland, the greatest care should be taken in dealing with it and in inculcating an appreciation of British law and order? Was that done here?
§ Mr. FosterYes. An inquiry was made into the first part of the disturbances, and then it was thought it was clear what the causes and sequence of events were and no further inquiry was ordered. A statement was made by my right hon. Friend in October.
§ Mr. BaldwinDoes my hon. and learned Friend agree, since all is quiet in Nyasaland, that the less we say to stir up trouble from this end the better for that country, and that we should allow it to manage its own affairs?
§ Mr. FosterYes.