HC Deb 05 May 1959 vol 605 cc199-200
20. Miss Herbison

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will stop the collection of fines imposed on communities in Nyasaland while the Commission is investigating in Nyasaland.

Mr. J. Amery

No, Sir.

Miss Herbison

Is the Minister aware that in reply to previous Questions we have found that fines of over £30,000 have been imposed in collective fines on the people of Nyasaland, whose standard of living is miserably inadequate? Does he not realise that while we hope that the Commission which has been sent out will do good work, he is vitiating all that good work by the bitterness which he is engendering by this shocking system of collective fines on the very poorest of the people?

Mr. Amery

I do not think that the fines were excessive in relation to the disturbances.