§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the 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 statement to make as to the incident reported to have taken place at Maseru, Basutoland on Tuesday last, 31st October.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)My Lords, I regret to inform your Lordships that the High Commissioner has reported that disorder broke out in Maseru at about 4.45 p.m. on October 31 on the adjournment of the case against a Mr. Mokitimi at the High Court where two unarmed African policemen performing normal court duties were injured. A crowd then ran down the main street stoning two or three cars and breaking windows in the hospital, dispensary and nurses home and three windows in a bank. At the same time there was indiscriminate stoning of cars in the African village. In all, ten cars were known to 125 have been damaged and three of the occupants, Europeans, were injured, though none, I am glad to say, very seriously.
Later in the evening a mob attacked a police post near the airfield and was dispersed on the arrival of more police. An unsuccessful attempt was made to set fire to the Roman Catholic cathedral and a thatched house belonging to the Government was found to be on fire. Police dispersed the crowds and brought the situation under control. No further incidents were reported after 11 p.m. and patrols continued throughout the night.
Up to yesterday evening 27 persons had been arrested and altogether 8 persons had been taken to hospital. I am glad to say that none of them was dangerously ill and my latest information is that only one is still in hospital —a policeman who was stabbed: his condition is satisfactory. The police in Maseru have been reinforced and the District Commissioner, Maseru, has issued an order banning all gatherings in public places in Maseru for a week. There were no incidents last night and Maseru is calm.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, having a very long acquaintance with this territory, both human and commercial, and knowing well the leaders and the people, and admiring them, may I ask my noble friend whether Her Majesty's Government will give all possible encouragement and support to the authorities, both European and African, in this territory, so that they may continue to enjoy peaceful surroundings for the development of 126 their new Constitution which they have started so admirably.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, could the noble Duke tell us what were the causes of this disturbance? Were the people merely disappointed litigants, or was there something more fundamental?
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, I have made inquiries, and I understand that there was no build-up of tension prior to the disturbance and that this can be taken as an isolated incident; there is no background to the disturbance.