HC Deb 01 December 1960 vol 631 cc584-5
38. Mr. Callaghan

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how long the books, "Balance of Payments, Rhodesia and Nyasaland", and "Economic Development in Africa", addressed to Mr. Dunduza Chisiza when in detention, were held by the Returned Letter Branch of the Post Office in Nyasaland; and why no attempt was made to deliver them before 7th November or to return them to the senders.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I am sure that the delay will be regretted, but the books referred to have now been discovered and forwarded to Mr. Chisiza and I am not in a position to comment further on the organisation of the postal services.

Mr. Callaghan

Does the Colonial Secretary really regard that as an adequate explanation, considering that the man to whom they were addressed has been regarded by the authorities as the second most dangerous man in Nyasaland? Did they not know that he was in Gwelo prison? Why did it take four months after I raised this matter for me to be informed that it had been established that there were no such books, when a fortnight later another letter came from the Secretary of State saying that they had been found?

Mr. Macleod

I do not think there is any need to read any political significance into this matter. If it be true, and I am sure that it is on my information, that these books were wrongly addressed—not to a Nyasaland address at all but to Bulawayo—it is not surprising that this took some considerable time.

Mr. Callaghan

I am saying that either the right hon. Gentleman's administration or someone else's is grossly inefficient. Mr. Chisiza was the second best known name in Nyasaland. Is it not well known that he was arrested and sent to Gwelo gaol? Can the Colonial Secretary assure me that there was no attempt to keep these books from him whilst he was in prison?

Mr. Macleod

As far as I know, I can on the last point give a complete assurance, but in fact postal matters, as the hon. Gentleman very well knows, are for the Federal authorities.

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