§ 2. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to check political and military provocation by anti-Castro Cuban émigrés in the Bahamas; if he will cause 875 those known to have been involved in such activities to be disarmed and deported; and why charges against a number of these men, who had unlicensed firearms in their possession, have been dropped and their firearms returned to them.
§ Mr. FisherThe Governor and the Commander, British Forces Caribbean Area, have made arrangements for intensified naval patrols in the Bahamas. I gave particulars of the action taken against those who were detained in my reply of 26th April to the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, East (Mr. Bottomley).
Since I gave that Answer, those convicted have paid their fines and have been deported.
§ Mr. DribergCan we take it from that Answer that Her Majesty's Government, as one would expect, are now falling in with the somewhat more sensible recent policy of the White House—of Washington—on this matter? Will the hon. Gentleman deal particularly with the final part of my Question, which was the subject of reports in what are sometimes thought of as reputable newspapers a few weeks ago?
§ Mr. FisherOn the first part of that supplementary question, we are, of course, co-operating with the United States Government in this matter very fully and have sent reinforcements to the Carribean area. On the question of firearms, this really refers to the first group. There were two incidents in the area. The first group concerned seventeen people who were detained but who did not actually land. Since no arms were taken ashore, all that happened was that the boat in question came alongside the quay and, I believe, purchased some fuel. Since the offences against Bahamanian law in this case were trivial, the Governor returned the arms but not the ammunition, so that they would he available for evidence in any prosecution which might be instituted on the return of the vessel and crew to the United States.