§ 41. Mr. Dribergasked the Prime Minister what progress has been made towards securing the release of Miss Stanton and other citizens of the United Kingdom and British-protected persons detained without trial in South Africa; and whether he will now make direct representations on behalf of those still in detention to the Prime Minister or deputy-Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa.
§ 42. Mr. Marquandasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the result of his undertaking to do all that he can to help and protect United Kingdom citizens now under arrest in South Africa.
§ The Prime MinisterThe United Kingdom High Commissioner has remained in close touch with South African Ministers and has been informed that Miss Stanton would be released on the undertaking that she would leave 385 South Africa without undue delay. The question of her eventual return to the Union would be considered in the light of conditions and circumstances at the time when she applied for leave to return. Miss Stanton has, however, stated that she feels unable to give this undertaking to leave South Africa.
The only other citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies to be detained, who is not also a South African citizen, is Dr. Letele. He has been visited by a representative of the High Commissioner, who has reported that he is in good health and has no complaints about his treatment. The High Commissioner is continuing to urge the Union Government that Dr. Letele should be released or charged as soon as possible.
As far as is known, no British-protected persons are being detained.
Four citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies from Basutoland have been arrested on charges of public violence in connection with the disturbances on 21st March. As my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations informed the House yesterday, the High Commissioner has engaged legal advisers who are available to assist these men.
§ Mr. DribergWhy should this remarkable—indeed, noble—woman be kept in prison because she refuses to be deported from the land and from the work to which she has dedicated her life? Is there any charge against her? Why is she still in prison? Does the Prime Minister remember saying a fortnight ago that this matter would not be allowed to drag on?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. We made strong representations and this offer to Miss Stanton was made. She took time to consider it and arrangements were made that she should have the opportunity of discussing it with her lawyer, with her brother and with the assistant warden of the Tumelong Mission. She has now decided not to accept release on these conditions. We are, therefore, continuing our efforts to press that she should be either released unconditionally or charged.
§ Mr. MarquandHow long does the Prime Minister think that this process will continue? Does he realise that it is a month since these people were imprisoned without charge and that almost 386 a fortnight has passed since he undertook to do his best? What would the Prime Minister have done if the circumstances had arisen in a foreign country? Would he be content merely to continue to say that somebody was keeping in touch? Would he not demand immediate action, and should he not do so now?
§ The Prime MinisterWe are, of course, demanding that action should be taken. It is only within the last few hours that I have heard that Miss Stanton had refused this offer of release on leaving the country which we had obtained.
Mr. Gresham CookeWill my right hon. Friend take the opportunity next week of discussing this case with Mr. Louw when he is here? Will my right hon. Friend mention to him that as the representative of this lady in my constituency, I have received fifty letters from all over the country testifying to Miss Stanton's character and mentioning, in particular, that she is of a most peaceful disposition and not likely to be mixed up in any violence? Will my right hon. Friend therefore press Mr. Louw to see whether a charge could not be brought so that she could have the opportunity of facing trial?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, of course. Naturally, had the Prime Minister himself been able to come, I would have discussed it with him. As Mr. Louw is coming, I shall certainly discuss these and other questions and will have the opportunity to do so within a day or two. I or my friends concentrated on the High Commissioner's trying to get the lady released. Then, there was the condition of her leaving the country. She considered it for some days and then decided—I admire and understand her reasons—not to accept it. We are, therefore, now pressing that she should be either charged or released without conditions.
§ Mr. BrockwayWithout in the least wishing to minimise the importance of the case of Miss Stanton, whom many of us revere, do I understand the Prime Minister to say that no citizen and no protected person under British care has been arrested? Will the right hon. Gentleman examine this matter again? 387 Are there not thousands of protected persons from the High Commission Territories in Johannesburg? Have they not been open to arrest in the same way as other people in Johannesburg? Will the Prime Minister look into the matter so that we may be sure of the facts?
§ The Prime MinisterOf course, I will make further inquiries, but I have given the information which has been given to us from the High Commissioner. There is the case of Dr. Letele, with whom we have been in close touch, and we are urging that he should be either released or charged as soon as possible. We do not know of any other case of a British-protected person being detained. Four citizens from Basutoland have been arrested and charged.
§ Mr. MarquandAs I have pressed this matter on several occasions, may I say that we welcome the Prime Minister's undertaking to take up this matter with the representative of the South African Government? May we take it that when he has done that, he will make another statement to the House of Commons?
§ The Prime MinisterI am grateful for the forbearance of the right hon. Gentleman and his friends. He will, I think, realise that what one tries to do is to get the results. Whether one is dealing with a Commonwealth country or a foreign country, mere protestation and statements are not always enough. What we want to try to do is to get the results. I welcome the chance in the next ten days while he is here of discussing the problem with Mr. Louw and trying to point out to him personally how much it would help in the reduction of tension on other matters if he could help us over these matters.
§ Mr. MarquandI asked the Prime Minister whether he would then make a statement to the House, or must I put down another Question?
§ The Prime MinisterPerhaps it would be simplest if the right hon. Gentleman would get in touch with me to know whether it is easier by Question or by statement. Often, a Question at Question Time is more convenient than statements after Question Time. I or one of my colleagues will keep in touch with the 388 right hon. Gentleman and we will use the most convenient method. When the conference of Prime Ministers ends, I have to go to Paris, so it may be necessary to ask one of my hon. or right hon. Friends to make a statement on my behalf.
§ Mr. CallaghanWill the Prime Minister reconsider his statement in reply to the last question that the release of this lady would reduce tension on other matters? Does he mean that to do common justice to this lady, either by charging her or by releasing her, would reduce tension on the policy of apartheid, which should be condemned and abhorred by every decent citizen in this country? I am sure that that is not what he means.
§ The Prime MinisterI hope that the hon. Member wil not take away the value of some of the arguments which I might use in order to obtain what I want.