§ 3.55 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I think it would be convenient if I now made the promised statement about Zanzibar. I regret that, as noble Lords will know, there has been serious rioting and loss of life in Zanzibar. The disturbances, which began on the 1st June during the election poll, are the result of tension between the African and Arab communities, and started with a number of sudden isolated incidents which took place at polling stations in Zanzibar town. The situation quickly deteriorated. Large crowds gathered in open spaces and small gangs in the maze of small streets in Zanzibar town attacked indi- 988 viduals. There has been a number of incidents on each following day. The British Resident declared a State of Emergency on June 1 and has imposed a curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The police have been reinforced by two general service units of the Kenya Police, by the 5th Battalion of the King's African Rifles, and two companies of the 6th Battalion. I regret to say that so far 47 persons have been reported dead, and that among some 300 injured, 78 have been admitted to hospital. The total number of arrests to date is 575, including gangs attempting to loot. The security forces have now been deployed throughout the two islands of Pemba and Zanzibar, and the latest report is of quieter conditions. My right honourable friend is in close touch with the British Resident.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Earl for giving us the statement which has been made in another place. I am sure we shall all be concerned at the size of the serious loss of life and the number of injured which have been the consequence of this outbreak. We are glad to notice that there have been substantial reinforcements in the force available now for the maintenance of security, and I hope very much that the quieter conditions now operating will come back to complete peace in the community. But there has been some criticism as to the state of information in the possession of the authorities as to what kind of contingents there were going to be, and what security forces were required. One is a little anxious about communities of this sort, which perhaps are shaping up for self-government. If we do not see that proper steps are taken to have sufficient security forces to see a general election through, it does not augur very well for the future. I do not know whether the noble Earl could tell us why they should have been so imperfectly provided beforehand with the necessary security forces to see the election through.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I know that all the House regrets these events and, as the noble Viscount has said, we hope that the quieter conditions will prevail. On the point about why there were not further security forces at the time of the elections, I 989 would say this, first of all. There were elections only a short while ago—some six months ago—and at that time the forces were quite adequate. What happened this time I do not know in detail, but it is quite clear from the reports that the outbreak came on unawares and unplanned. I think there was no good ground to expect something different this time from the last.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, while agreeing with the noble Viscount that we are all very shocked at the loss of life and the damage to people, and possibly to property, in this territory, may I ask the noble Earl whether, in view of the statement by the Civil Secretary that the situation is quiet but confused and politically dangerous, and also the information which we have that there is considerable apprehension in the island of Pemba, he is satisfied that the present forces in those two islands are sufficient to maintain adequate security there?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I think the quotation the noble Lord used was made by the Civil Secretary perhaps yesterday or the day before, whereas my report which talks of the quieter conditions was given to us at about lunch-time. Therefore, to that extent the situation is a little happier. On the question of whether we are satisfied that there are adequate forces, I can only say that if the British Resident felt there was need for any further increase, of course we would take the necessary steps.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, in view of the explanations he was giving just now as to why the possibility of this kind of outbreak was not known and provided for, may I ask the noble Earl whether the Secretary of State might consider having a special inquiry into the circumstances. It does not seem to me to be a very satisfactory explanation. Usually you do not get an outbreak of this magnitude and with such serious results to life and limb without having at least some intimation beforehand that it is likely to arise. Could we have an inquiry?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHI was not trying to give a complete explanation of the reasons for the outbreaks in answer to what the noble Viscount said about 990 why we did not foresee the event. I was trying to make the point that there had previously been elections recently and the situation had not been dangerous. On the question of an inquiry, I would say that until things are a little more clear it would not be proper to consider that, but a little later it would be something that I should be glad to look at again.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHPerhaps if we repeated the question in a week's time the noble Earl would give an answer.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHI think that would be an entirely reasonable suggestion.