HC Deb 03 July 1958 vol 590 cc1559-60
9. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the worsening political situation in Tanganyika, with particular regard to the reasons for the banning of branches of the Tanganyika African National Union and the action taken against its officers.

Mr. Profumo

I am not aware of the evidence on which the hon. Member concludes that the political situation in Tanganyika is worsening. My right hon. Friend referred in the House on 6th May last year to the reasons why the Tanganyika Government had taken action in certain instances against the Tanganyika African National Union. There has been no substantial change since then, and, indeed, I am glad to say that it has been possible to relax restrictions in some areas where elections will take place in September. Legal action against officers of T.A.N.U. has only been taken when there is prima facie evidence that they have broken the law.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that his evasive reply is quite unsatisfactory and that if he looks at the Answer given by his right hon. Friend on 26th June he will see that no fewer than 16 branches of T.A.N.U. have been banned and that this campaign against T.A.N.U. and the attempt to discredit T.A.N.U. has gone too far? Is it not time that the Secretary of State intervened to prevent it?

Mr. Profumo

It is certainly not time that my right hon. Friend intervened. Of course, I looked at the Answer which he gave the other day. I should like to break that down. In 1957 four applications were refused, but only two have been refused this year.

Sir A. Baldwin

Is my hon. Friend aware that the avowed object of this union is to break down any possibility of an inter-racial coming together? Will he support the Tanganyika Government in stopping these branches wherever possible and give his assistance to the United Tanganyika Party, which wants to bring all races together?

Mr. Speaker

Mrs. Castle.

Mr. Stonehouse

On a point of order. Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that—

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order. The hon. Member should not use a point of order to get in another question. That is not right.

Mr. Stonehouse

On a point of order. Is it in order for an hon. Member to give completely unsatisfactory and incorrect information? In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State, I beg to give notice that I will choose a suitable opportunity to raise the subject on the Adjournment.