HC Deb 01 April 1965 vol 709 cc1840-2
30. Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the situation in British Guiana.

Mr. Greenwood

I am glad to say that the situation in British Guiana, both politically and economically, continues to justify the cautious optimism which I expressed after my recent visit.

The new Government have made an encouraging start in seeking to restore public confidence. On the subject of racial imbalance my exchange of views with Mr. Burnham is progressing I regret that members of the Opposition continue to boycott the House of Assembly; I very much hope that they will reconsider this attitude.

The internal security situation remains relatively quiet. There have been instances of sabotage and of arson on sugar estates but there has so far been no resurgence of the inter-racial violence with which the country has been troubled in recent years.

On the economic side, there has been a return of business confidence and the Government are tackling the preparation of a new long-term development programme. Meanwhile aid from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada and other sources will enable development expenditure to be increased this year.

Mr. Chapman

Will my right hon. Friend accept the congratulations of many of us that he has been able to reduce the temperature and improve the conditions so notably in British Guiana in recent months? Will my right hon. Friend express—I am sure on behalf of all hon. Members—the hope to the Opposition in British Guiana that they will stop this stupid boycott of the National Assembly and will take their place in this democratic Assembly and begin to make the country work properly?

Mr. Greenwood

I am obliged to my hon. Friend. When I was there recently I went to a great deal of trouble to try to persuade members of the P.P.E. of the importance of taking a full part in the democratic processes of British Guiana, because I think that it is essential to build confidence in the stability of the country and attract the investment which British Guiana needs.

Mr. Sandys

What progress has been made in setting up a special security force to augment the resources of the police?

Mr. Greenwood

I saw the unit of the special security force when I was there. I was most impressed with the efficiency of the force and also that from a racial point of view it is balanced equally between the two main races in British Guiana, which I think is essential for peaceful development in the territory.

Mr. Michael Foot

What progress is being made towards the release of persons, political leaders in particular, detained without trial in British Guiana? Would not this help to assist the situation generally?

Mr. Greenwood

I am grateful to my hon. Friend, because over the last few months the number of detainees has been reduced from 41 to 14. It is not without significance that none of the 14 at present in detention has exercised the right to appeal to a tribunal against their being kept in detention. I do not like this form of conducting the affairs of a country any more than my hon. Friend does, but in the difficult situation in British Guiana it would be wrong to express any lack of confidence in the way in which the Government are using the powers which they possess in the person of the Governor.

Mr. Thorpe

Is it not a fact that 13 of the 14 detained for political reasons without trial are in opposition to the party of Mr. Burnham, the Prime Minister, and that Mr. Burnham himself has expressed the hope that they may shortly be released? Is not that in itself a fairly strong implication that the political situation would be improved and not impaired by the release of these men at present detained without trial and without charge?

Mr. Greenwood

I share the hope that has been expressed. I think that the figure is 14 out of 14, but equally it is true that 21 out of the 27 released were also members of the party in opposition to Mr. Burnham.