§ 2.43 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any further statement to make concerning Mr. Guy Clutton-Brock.]
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I am glad to be able on this matter to give the noble Viscount a more satisfactory reply. Sir Edgar Whitehead, the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia, stated in a broadcast speech yesterday evening that approximately fifty detainees, mostly 197 from rural areas, but including the only European detainee—that is, Mr. Guy Clutton-Brock—would be released within the next forty-eight hours.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, seeing that Mr. Clutton-Brock has a dual nationality, being a British subject as well as a Rhodesian subject, has the noble Earl inquired whether any conditions were laid on his release; whether any charge was laid against him; and whether any compensation will be paid to him for some weeks of imprisonment?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, the answer to the first question is that, so far as I know, no conditions have been applied, and no charge has been laid. I cannot give an answer to any question of compensation or anything of that kind. That would be a matter for Mr.Clutton-Brock to take up with the Southern Rhodesian Government.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, does the noble Earl repudiate any responsibility for this treatment of a man who has partial British nationality?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, the Southern Rhodesian Government acted in this case within their powers; and it is within their power to release Mr. Clutton-Brock, as they have decided to do.
LORD REAMy Lords, could the noble Earl say whether there is to be any charge made retrospectively in regard to Mr. Clutton-Brock?
The EARL OF HOMEDoes the noble Lord mean any charge by the Southern Rhodesian Government against Mr. Clutton-Brock?
THE EARL OF HOMEI do not know about that, but I will obtain the information for the noble Lord and for the House.