HC Deb 15 November 1956 vol 560 cc1104-5
6. Mr. Brockway

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations on whose authority the Basutoland police recently arrested and handed over to the South African police Elias Monare, who had participated in the boycott of schools in the Union of South Africa following the passage of the Bantu Education Act.

Lord John Hope

I regret to have to inform the hon. Member that inquiries made so far would seem to show that Elias Monare, a Mosuto born in the Union, was irregularly arrested and returned to the Union. The warrant issued by the South African authorities was endorsed, not by the magistrate as it should have been, but by the Superintendent of Police who was in charge of the District Headquarters in the magistrate's absence on tour. I am having further inquiries made.

Mr. Brockway

Does the Minister realise the seriousness of the statement he has just made? Is he aware that this man is not a criminal, has never been charged, has never been tried, was banished and returned from that banishment to Basutoland without any charge whatsoever having been brought against him? Will he take steps to enable the man to return to Basutoland, which is his native country?

Lord John Hope

I do not think the hon. Gentleman would expect me now to enter into the merits of the case, although I should like to tell him and the House that the Union warrant for Monare's arrest was for failing to comply with an order of the Governor-General. I do not wish to go further than that, except to assure the hon. Gentleman that I fully realise the seriousness of the case.

Mr. Dugdale

Do I understand that the Under-Secretary will make a statement to the House about this very serious case as soon as his inquiries are complete?

Lord John Hope

In the proper way, of course, I shall do that. I most certainly undertake to keep the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) informed of developments.