§ 61. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the offices of the "Daily Comet" in Kano, Northern Nigeria, were raided in July last; why the houses of the President-General of the Northern Elements Progressive Union and the editor of the "Daily Comet" were searched; what was the nature of the documents that were removed; and what action has been taken subsequently by the police.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe offices of the "Daily Comet" and the house of Aminu Kano, President-General of the Northern Elements Progressive Union, were searched on the authority of a magistrate's warrant for evidence to show who were the publishers and authors of an apparently seditious article published in this paper. The editor's house was not searched. The typewritten original of the article, proof and file copies of the "Daily Comet" issue carrying it, the editor's diary and certain other apparently seditious publications were removed. Documents not required for the subsequent legal proceedings were returned. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Gravesend (Sir R. Acland).
§ Mr. RankinI assume from the Minister's answer that he disputes some parts of the allegations contained in the Question. Is he aware that all these happenings were reported in the "Nigerian Citizen" of 8th July last, and that they are the result of a great deal of repression in that part of Nigeria? Can he assure us that wherever a voice of criticism is raised he is not going to stifle it, especially if it comes from an African?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydOf course not, nor is criticism necessarily seditious as I fully recognise. My answer must be taken to represent the facts. I cannot be responsible for what may appear in some paper.