HC Deb 18 July 1966 vol 732 cc36-9
Mr. Evelyn King

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he is aware that Mr. David Loshak, staff correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, following his expulsion from Nigeria, has now been arrested and detained pending deportation in Freetown, Sierra Leone; what action has been taken by the British High Commissioner; and whether he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Arthur Bottom-ley)

Mr. Loshak was served with an order on 14th July directing that he be detained in police custody until he could leave conveniently by air from Sierra Leone.

Our High Commissioner made representations that he be allowed to depart the next day, but was informed that Mr. Loshak's papers were being examined with a view to prosecuting him, apparently in connection with two articles published in the Daily Telegraph on 11 th and 13th July

A further request that he be released from police custody meanwhile was rejected. Mr. Loshak may appear in court today.

Our High Commission has visited Mr. Loshak and arrangements have been made for his legal defence. He is in good health and is being well treated.

Mr. King

While expressing sympathy with Mr. Loshak, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether Sierra Leone is not in receipt of British economic aid'? Is it not possible that Mr. Loshak's real offence is that he gave publicity to the fact that the short-term debts in Sierra Leone now amount to about £ 33½ million? Is it not also a fact—and this is the most important part—that, during the last 18 months, no less than 10 British correspondents with political views ranging from those of the Observer to those of the Daily Telegraph have been expelled from British Commonwealth countries?

Will the Secretary of State concede that, if British Commonwealth countries were so to censor British dispatches that we were unable to gain accurate information as to the economic state of a country, such action could not be condoned by this House and that his Department should make known its views throughout the Commonwealth about it?

Mr. Bottomley

The references in the articles in the Daily Telegraph and the statement about the economic position may not be factual. That is something that must be further examined and tested. But, of course, I acknowledge at once that, whereas a Commonwealth Government have the right to expel a subject if necessary, Her Majesty's Government equally have the right, if they feel that there is injustice, to make the strongest possible representations.

I am sure that I speak for the House as a whole when I say that I regret the expulsion of journalists and broadcasters. Those of us engaged in public life must, at times, feel that the Press is not as fair or objective as it might be, but the occasions when we perhaps have such a feeling are relatively few. What we all must bear in mind it that that is the price we have to pay if we are to safeguard the freedom of the Press, the liberty of the subject and the fundamental rights of freedom of speech.

Sir J. Hobson

This gentleman is being put on charge in the courts of Sierra Leone. What is the charge? How can someone be charged in Sierra Leone for writing in the free Press of this country?

Mr. Bottomley

The right hon. and learned Gentleman is a lawyer and I am sure that he would agree with me that, at the moment, it may be unwise for me to make further comment. [HoN.MEMBERS: "Oh."] The matter is sub judice and I repeat that, in the interests of our fellow countryman, it might be better to leave the matter at the moment in the present situation.

Mr. Shinwell

Does not my right hon. Friend recall occasions when the British Government have expelled Africans from this country, for one reason or another, perhaps justifiably, and when this has caused terrible comment—indeed, almost violent comment—in this House? Why cannot we occasionally make a comment about the expulsion of British citizens from African countries?

Mr. Bottomley

As I have said, I have aready made representations. I deplore the expulsion of journalists and broadcasters from other countries.

Mr. Maudling

The right hon. Gentleman did not answer the question put to him by my right hon and learned Friend the Member for Warwick and Learning-ton (Sir J. Hobson). The individual case may be sub judice, but the question of principle is how anyone can be charged in the courts of Sierra Leone for articles appearing in British newspapers.

Mr. Bottomley

The action taken is legal in Sierra Leone under the Non-Citizen (Registration, Immigration and Expulsion) Act

Mr. Leadbitter

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this particular mode of expulsion is becoming a matter of grave concern in this country. Is my right hon. Friend in a position to make a further statement today about a Central African correspondent who, I understand, is being expelled from Salisbury today although an order for his expulsion last May was declared void?

Mr. Bottomley

This case is to be particularly deplored. I regret that I have no opportunity of making to the illegal régime the same representations which I have been able to make to the Sierra Leone Government.

Mr. Sandys

Why does the right hon. Gentleman think that this case is to be particularly deplored?

Mr. Bottomley

All of us who have had the opportunity of listening to the B.B.C. broadcasts will have noted their objectivity. Indeed, the illegal régime at times has acknowledged their objectivity. I took the opportunity of saying that in the case put to me in the Question perhaps the facts in the article were not incontrovertible.