§ 28. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which members of the Zambia African Congress have so far been brought to trial; what legal aid they received; what were the charges; what was the nature of the trial; and if he will place a copy of the report of the proceedings in the Library.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI assume the Question relates to those members restricted on 12th March or later. Three had been brought to trial by 16th April. The particulars are:
Lawrence Chama Mulenga, acquitted on a charge of conspiracy to commit arson.
Wilson Chakulya, convicted on a charge of sedition and sentenced to sixteen months imprisonment with hard labour. He was granted legal aid.
Cornelius Mwanza, convicted on a charge of holding an unauthorised assembly and sentenced to four months imprisonment with hard labour. His application for legal aid was refused.
The records of the proceedings in the last two cases will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as possible.
§ Mr. SwinglerWhile thanking the Colonial Secretary for those particulars, may I ask why, in view of what he said 1091 previously, the leaders of the banned Zambia African Congress have not been brought to trial and given an opportunity of answering the allegations and charges which were made a basis of banning the Congress—that they were concerned in organised incitement to violence and involved in conspiracy? The right hon. Gentleman has not mentioned the leaders. Why are the leaders not brought to trial?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs I said, the question of bringing people to trial or not is a matter for the Attorneys-General in the Colonies concerned.