§ Mr. Brockway (by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds a state of emergency has been declared in Sierra Leone and 18 leaders of the Opposition, including two members of the Legislative Council, have been arrested.
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Iain Macleod)I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of the statement issued by the Sierra Leone Government, which gives the reasons for this action.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware how sincerely all of us desire that the independence of Sierra Leone shall start in happy conditions? Therefore, will he suggest to the Governor that he should call a meeting between representatives of the Government and the Opposition in order to avoid the disturbing circumstances which are likely to arise on the declaration of independence?
§ Mr. MacleodWe all hope that Sierra Leone will have, as it has had hitherto, a peaceful and happy progress towards independence. I must make it clear that this action, although taken by the Governor, which is the formal position until next Wednesday night, has been taken on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. They have been in close consultation throughout.
If the hon. Member will read the report, which he may have seen in outline, and which will now be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT, I think that he will find that the Cabinet had good reasons for acting as it did. I think that it is right, in a case like this, to trust the judgment of the Governor and of the Prime Minister in the country.
§ Mr. CallaghanWhile none of us would want to intervene on one side or the other in a matter Like this, where we do not have the facts, as allegations 1169 have been made in the Press that sabotage was attempted, may we take it that the Governor will use what powers remain to him to ensure that leaders of the Opposition are properly tried before the courts for such criminal acts as they are alleged to have committed?
§ Mr. MacleodYes, Sir. I am sure that there is no doubt of that, but I am glad that the hon. Member has made the point.
§
Following is the text of the statement:
Early today the Government detained several influential members of the All People's Congress. Government's reasons for this drastic action are as follows:
On the 19th February this year the following statement was issued by the Prime Minister's Office:
The Prime Minister, Sir Milton Margai, is concerned about the threats, intimidating words and malicious and false rumours which are being uttered by certain irresponsible members of the community.
In view of the fact that the country is now very close to independence. Government will no longer tolerate such behaviour which is clearly calculated to have a disquieting effect on the public. Those concerned are hereby warned that the law will take its course if any further instance of such behaviour occurs.
Notwithstanding this statement there is ample evidence that the A.P.C. has continued to pursue a policy designed to cause insurrection and to create disturbances during the independence celebrations.
Government has kept its promise that it will lead Sierra Leone into independence before another General Election. A small group of A.P.C. men do not like this and are misleading the public by continuing to say elections must be held even as late as 26th April or there will be trouble. They know this is impossible. Any mock election and such play acting means nothing.
Secondly, these A.P.C. leaders are inciting the workers and their leaders to call a General Strike within 10 days of independence hoping that this will bring work to a stop and lead to rioting. They themselves shelter behind the trade union leaders. They know there is no trade dispute and that the workers would be led into an illegal strike on purely political grounds. They know it would do them no good, but would do them much harm at this stage.
Thirdly, they say at public meetings that they are for law and order, but A.P.C. members have assaulted and abused Minister of the Government and have threatened further assaults. The A.P.C. has made attempts to obtain explosives in order to cause sabotage. The A.P.C. has threatened to burn down a Freetown newspaper office and to blow up private houses. The A.P.C has made plans to sabotage the lighting at Brookfields and at
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Victoria Park. The A.P.C. has made plans to disrupt essential services including water supply. The A.P.C. have deliberately made false statements including inflated claims about its support and influence designed to foster dissatisfaction. The A.P.C. has displayed banners reading "elections or another Congo". The A.P.C. does not apparently welcome independence. They want to creat disturbances, demonstrations and confusion during independence and to bring the country into contempt and ridicule not only in West Africa but throughout the whole world at a time when the eyes of the whole world are upon us.
These people are financed by money coming from abroad. There are people and powers who do not want to see a peaceful and happy transfer of power in Sierra Leone. The A.P.C. leaders are doing all this simply to further their own ambitions without any thought for the interests of our country.
The Government is determined that everyone who wished to do so shall enjoy independence in peace and Ministers have therefore advised the Governor to introduce certain powers which will ensure that these men can be kept in custody until after independence.
No political opposition need have anything to fear providing it does not seek to use violence and riots as a political weapon. The Government, as the Constitution provides, will hold General Elections at the proper time in 1962.
It is thus abundantly clear that at a time when all Sierra Leone should be looking forward to a period of rejoicing over their independence the A.P.C. has pursued and is pursuing a policy designed to promote civil disturbances.
Government's firm action has been taken to ensure that at such an important time in the country's history her citizens and her friends will enjoy their independence free from fear.