§ 3.34 p.m.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF PERTH)My Lords, with your Lordships' permission I will now make a statement regarding the demonstration which occurred in Blantyre on the occasion of the Prime Minister's visit on January 26. I should prefer not to say anything at this stage about the circumstances and the course of the demonstration, because a formal inquiry is to be made. The Governor is proposing to appoint a Judge to investigate the incident and, in particular, to report on the allegations which have been made against individual members of the Nyasaland Police Force. I should like to make it clear to the House, however, that it does not follow from the establishment of this inquiry that I accept the allegations which have been made. As the House will appreciate the allegations which have been made against individuals are a serious matter, and it is primarily for this reason that it has not been felt desirable to rely on the ordinary departmental form of inquiry.
I hope the House will agree that in this case in all the circumstances this is the most satisfactory procedure.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I am much obliged—I am sure all the House will be—to the noble Earl for his statement. It seems that an inquiry of a judicial character is to be made. I would only ask what sort of time is likely to be occupied by this inquiry and how soon the report of a judicial inquiry of this kind can be available to us. How long is it going to take? Secondly, I see that the appointment of the Judge is to be by the Governor. Are we to take it that that will make it certain that it will be a Colonial Judge?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, the answer to the second part of the question is that it will be a Colonial Judge. I am afraid I cannot give any answer in regard to the time; but everybody is aware of the interest and anxiety to get the inquiry and the result of it as soon as possible.
VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, will the inquiry be held in public, and 804 will anyone be free to give evidence if he so desires?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I feel sure that if anybody should wish to give evidence the Judge would be most ready to hear that evidence. I am afraid that I cannot answer the question as to whether the inquiry is to be in public or in private.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, certainly in some form. The Judge will be reporting to the Governor, and while I cannot say at this stage that the report will be laid before this House, I greatly appreciate the anxiety of the House on this matter.
VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, having the words of the Judge would be a very different thing from having only a resume of his views which have filtered through the Governor.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I understand very well the anxieties of the noble Viscount.