HC Deb 27 April 1961 vol 639 c615
24. Mr. Callaghan

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will hold an inquiry into the disturbances in the Gambia in January last which resulted in two deaths and forty injured.

Mr. Iain Macleod

No, Sir. There were no deaths. Three people were admitted to hospital and have since been discharged.

Mr. Callaghan

I am usually right in these cases, especially when the Monckton Commission went to Africa—and the Devlin Commission.

Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

Go on—ask the Question.

Mr. Callaghan

On a point of order. Will you restrain the hon. Baronet the Member for Knutsford (Sir W. Bromley-Davenport) from usurping your functions, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker

I should like the House to get on with Questions.

Mr. Callaghan

Is the Colonial Secretary aware that I was told by the secretary of the General Workers' Union in Gambia in this House last week that the figures I have quoted represented the true situation? Can the right hon. Gentleman account for the apparent discrepancy?

Mr. Macleod

Obviously, neither the hon. Gentleman nor I has first-hand information. I naturally rely for my information on these matters on the Governor and I am sure that his information is right. After all, he has access to the records of the hospital which treated some people for minor bruises and others who were detained. With respect to the hon. Member, I therefore assume that the balance of evidence is probably on my side.

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