6. Mrs. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the arrest of a number of members of the Northern Elements Progressive Union in Northern Nigeria and to the letter addressed by Mallam Aminu Kano to the Sardauna of Sokoto; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe hon. Member is probably referring to disturbances at Zaria on 29th March, when a large crowd tried to break into a Native Court. One hundred and fifty-three people were brought before a magistrate. Eleven of these were imprisoned, 18 fined, 104 bound over and the rest acquitted. The 580 Premier of the Northern Region has agreed to a proposal made by Mallam Aminu Kano that all parties in the Region should confer on ways and means of maintaining peace in the Region. A meeting is being arranged for 29th May.
Mrs. WhiteWhilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that helpful reply, may I ask whether he will bear in mind the other point made by Mallam Aminu Kano, that possibly political cases would be better tried in courts other than the Alkali courts?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo doubt that will be argued at the meeting.