HC Deb 22 January 1964 vol 687 cc1061-2
9. Mr. Paget

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on the situation of British personnel seconded to the Army of Tanganyika and of their dependants.

Mr. Ramsden

Of the 47 British officers and N.C.O.S seconded to the Tanganyikan Army, nearly all, together with their families, are now in Nairobi or have been flown to the United Kingdom. Those still in Dar-es-Salaam are in the British High Commission.

The officers and N.C.O.s seconded to the 2nd Battalion The Tanganyika Rifles at Tabora arrived safely in Nairobi last night, with their families. Those arriving in Nairobi have been given an issue of warm clothing and other essential requirements, together with an immediate advance of £60. Those still in Tanganyika are in the British High Commission and will be treated similarly when they arrive in Nairobi.

Eighty-one personnel, including families, are due to arrive in the United Kingdom today. In fact 17 arrived at Gatwick Airport about midday, and the remaining 64 will be arriving later today. Arrangements have been made for their accommodation in hotels tonight and arrangements for their accommodation beyond tonight have been made. A further advance of money will be made when they arrive in the United Kingdom. They are being met by War Office representatives and the W.V.S.

Mr. Paget

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a great comfort to know that these men, and particularly their families, are safe? Is he also aware that this is very tragic news and that a successful mutiny is bad history for any country?

Mr. John Hall

Will my right hon. Friend agree that, in fairness to the British officers and N.C.O.s who have now been expelled from Tanganyika, it should be made clear that many of them have served for many years with African troops and have enjoyed the loyalty and affection of those troops? Would he agree that there are no real grounds justifying the revolt through dissatisfaction arising out of any lack of speed in replacing British officers and N.C.O.s with Africans or dissatisfaction over pay or conditions? Were any African officers involved in the revolt? Does he place any significance on the fact reported in the Press that the self-styled field-marshal, Okello, was present in Tanganyika on the night of the revolt?

Mr. Ramsden

On the last two parts of that supplementary question, we do not know enough to be able to comment. On the first part, I am glad that my hon. Friend was able to say what he said and I accept it. One of the few pieces of news which has reached us is that one of the detachments involved was saying goodbye to its officers with regret and seeing them off from the airport.