§ 15. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of cases of ritual murder that have occurred in Nyasaland during the past twelve months.
§ Mr. MaudlingThere have been two cases of so-called ritual murder in the past twelve months. I have asked the Governor for particulars and will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT later.
§ Dr. JohnsonWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he agrees that these reports are extremely disturbing, and that, despite what he has said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison), these are illustrations of the danger of allowing primitive people premature self-government?
§ Mr. MaudlingI should not like to draw any deductions from these two particular cases until I have had the details for which I have asked.
§ Mr. SorensenDid the hon. Member for Carlisle (Dr. D. Johnson) refer to murders in this country, which are rather frequent, or in other countries?
§ Sir G. NicholsonIs it not time that tribute was paid to the high standard of law and order maintained in Nyasaland at the present time?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that supplementary question. I did say earlier that the present state of law and order in Nyasaland is satisfactory.