§ 2. Mr. Sorefasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek to pay an official visit to Sierra Leone.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI have no plans at present to do so.
§ Mr. SorefMy right hon. Friend will be aware that in this Commonwealth country, for the first time, there has been an invasion from the alien and Communist State of Guinea, that distinguished citizens of Sierra Leone have been thrust into gaol without trial and that the country is in the hands of an army from an invading country, whereas the police and the army in Sierra Leone have had their ammunition removed and are at the mercy of these foreign invaders. Has any move been made to protest against this enormity?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeSierra Leone is an independent country. If there are any questions affecting a British citizen, 978 these will be matters for my Department and for myself, and at any time we would inquire into the position of any British citizen in difficulties in Sierra Leone.
§ Mr. WhiteheadI appreciate what the Foreign Secretary has said, but could he use his good offices with the Government of Sierra Leone at least to secure the release pending trial of Brigadier John Bangura, the head of Sierra Leone's military forces, whom all of us who have had the honour of serving with those forces know to be an officer of the highest integrity?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeIf the hon. Gentleman will get in touch with me, of course we would always be glad to make representations on humanitarian grounds.