HC Deb 05 May 1966 vol 727 cc1837-8
2. Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the nature of the inquiries he made into the detention of Mr. Cedric Nunes by the Government of British Guiana.

6. Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many political detainees are at present held in prison in British Guiana; and when the emergency regulations will be lifted.

14. Mrs. Knight

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to secure the release of Mr. C. V. Nunes, who has been detained since June, 1965, in British Guiana, in view of the fact that his detention infringes the basic rights of a British subject.

Mr. Frederick Lee

These matters were fully debated on the Second Reading and Committee stage of the Guyana Independence Bill and I have nothing to add to the statements then made by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies and myself.

Mr. Freeson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that is a deplorably negative reply to an important Question concerning a matter of civil liberty and personal rights? Did my right hon. Friend make the inquiries, and what was the nature of them, which led him to take no further action towards getting a man's freedom established according to constitutional and democratic law?

Mr. Lee

If my hon. Friend would study constitutional law, instead of making accusations, he would know that the responsibility for all of these emergency matters, including detention orders, rests with the British Guiana Ministers. I understand that a further detainee has been released today.

Mrs. Knight

Is the Minister aware that the wife of this man, with her children, lives in my constituency and that her health is suffering as a result of worry about her husband? Will the Minister please note that hon. Members on both sides of the House consider that for a man to be imprisoned without trial is totally indefensible?

Mr. Lee

For my part, I made the position clear on Second Reading of the Bill. I too detest the idea of a man being imprisoned without trial. We are keeping closely in touch with Mr. Burnham about this and we want to see something done at the earliest possible moment.