HC Deb 04 July 1963 vol 680 cc590-2
Mr. Bottomley (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the further difficulties which have necessitated sending further troops to British Guiana.

The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

The general strike continues, and with it tension in Georgetown has been mounting. Although there has been little open violence, attempts have been made to damage Government buildings with explosives. However, in the past few days, there has been a number of inter-racial clashes in the rural areas, particularly on the coast east of the capital.

This has placed an increased strain on the security forces. Consequently, the Governor decided last night, with the agreement of the Premier, to ask for the despatch of one additional company, to reinforce the existing garrison of one British battalion. The troops are now on their way.

Mr. Bottomley

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what will happen if this further contingent of troops fails to stop the present troubles? Can he give further consideration to the suggestion made by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition, that we might send a Parliamentary mission, which could at least be said to be reasonably impartial?

Mr. Sandys

With all respect, I submit to the House that at this particular juncture I doubt whether a Parliamentary mission would be helpful.

Mr. H. Wilson

It is now several weeks since this proposal was made, during which time the situation has gone from bad to worse. I think that everyone who has studied the situation knows the very serious difficulties. It is not easy to take sides in this matter. That is what is wrong—there is a lot of interference going on which should not be tolerated in the area.

I know that the right hon. Gentleman is not trying to be in any sense disrespectful to hon. Members, but will not he agree that if a small delegation of about four hon. Members, two very senior members from the Government side for whom we would have great respect and two from our side, could go out, and bring back a report, that would be a more objective assessment than one of the ex parte kind which some of us are receiving?

Unless the right hon. Gentleman can go himself—as he ought to have done long ago—will he give consideration to the idea of a small delegation of hon. Members, Privy Councillors and perhaps other senior Members, going and then making a report to the House?

Mr. Sandys

I have been thinking for some little while whether to go myself, but I thought it better to wait. I had hoped that this strike would come to an end, but, unfortunately, it continues. Since there is no immediate prospect of it coming to an end, I am considering the possibility of going to British Guiana myself some time next week.

Mr. Wall

If this unfortunate situation drags on, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that other Commonwealth countries might be able to give some assistance in solving these very intractable problems?

Mr. Sandys

I should be glad of any help from any quarter, but at the moment I do not think outside missions would help us to resolve the difficulty.

Miss Lee

Without wishing to be in any way offensive to the Minister, may I suggest to him that in the situation in British Guiana a party from this House, made up of different points of view in the House and including Members who have personal knowledge of the Prime Minister, Mr. Jagan and others concerned, might have a better chance of bringing back the sort of report that we want than the Minister, who would be very much hampered by official associations?

Mr. Sandys

I think that I have already answered that question. The first thing to do is to try to bring the situation back to normal. Then we can try to resolve the constitutional deadlock which led to the breakdown of the conference on independence last autumn.

Mr. W. Yates

Has the Minister anything to say about the extraordinary shooting which took place from the Prime Minister's car and the police escort on the crowd? Is he aware that I have cables from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. d'Aguiar, about the position? Will he say whether he is going to reopen conversations about the Constitution?

Mr. Sandys

I have just said that I will go next week.

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