HC Deb 15 May 1957 vol 570 cc404-5
64 and 65. Mr. D. Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what action has been taken against the police officer who fired on the strikers at the Skeldon Sugar Estate, British Guiana, in February last;

(2) whether he is aware that an official Commission of Inquiry found that the police officer responsible for firing on the strikers at Skeldon Sugar Estate, British Guiana, had made an error of judgment; and whether he proposes to authorise disciplinary action.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. John Profumo)

It is not proposed to take any disciplinary action against the police officer concerned.

Mr. Jones

Having regard to the circumstances and to the result of the court of inquiry, will the hon. Gentleman take care to see that people who are not psychologically fitted, in the circumstances of such cases as this, to be in possession of loaded rifles, are deprived of the opportunity of making errors of judgment again?

Mr. Profumo

After careful consideration of the Commission's report the Governor decided that there were no grounds for taking disciplinary action, and my right hon. Friend does not see any reason to disagree with that decision.

Mr. Jones

What I am asking is that an assurance be given that efforts will be made to prevent people who are psychologically unfitted for handling loaded rifles in circumstances of this kind from being in possession of those weapons on these occasions.

Mr. Profumo

I think that that is a rather wider question.