HC Deb 05 May 1959 vol 605 cc201-2
27. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans in Nyasaland have been arrested since 3rd March; what were the charges against them; and what sentences they received.

Mr. J. Amery

The Governor has informed me that it will be necessary to circulate all out-stations in order to obtain this information. This is being done and as soon as I receive the information it will be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mrs. Castle

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that, according to the Observer of ten days ago, there is an extensive drive now going on in Nyasaland to stamp out the African National Congress? Is not this short-sighted criminal lunacy, in view of the fact that the Devlin Commission has not yet reported on whether a massacre plot exists, and the African National Congress is the only constitutional means of political organisation open to the Africans?

Mr. Amery

I advise the hon. Lady not to base herself exclusively on reports in the Observer.

Mr. Paget

Do not the hon. Gentleman's replies as to the action being taken against the Nyasaland Government put the Devlin Commission in something like the position of the Red Queen's Court—sentence first, verdict afterwards?