HL Deb 28 April 1965 vol 265 cc610-3

2.40 p.m.

LORD BROCKWAY

My 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 what action has been taken to secure the release of political detainees in British Guiana and to obtain a fairer balance between persons of African and Indian origin in the security and public services in that colony.]

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, these are both matters for the British Guiana Government. As regards detentions, Her Majesty's Government are confident that British Guiana Ministers, who have only recently assumed responsibility for the exercise of emergency powers, share their view that the remaining detainees should be released as soon as the interests of public safety and order allow. On the question of racial imbalance, the Premier of British Guiana has invited the International Commission of Jurists to examine the balance between the races not only in the security and public services, but in all fields where racial imbalance may be harmful to the public interest, and to recommend corrective steps if necessary. Her Majesty's Government warmly welcome this initiative.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, may I thank the Minister for his reply? I appreciate that this is a matter primarily for the Government of British Guiana. May I ask him about the political detainees? How far do they represent the Opposition Party and how far do they represent the Party of the Government? In the case of the imbalance, since this is unfortunately a matter of some conflict between Indian and African communities, would the Government consider whether it might not be desirable to have a Commonwealth presence in British Guiana to deal with this serious problem of racial confrontation in that country?

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, in regard to the reference to the racial imbalance, there is certainly a heavy preponderance of Africans over Indians in the public service, notably in the police force where some 80 per cent. are of African stock. In recent years recruitment to the police force has been conducted on the basis of parity between the two main races. The same basis has been adopted in recruitment to the Special Service Unit formed this year. The imbalance has given rise to accusations of partiality in the treatment of the different racial communities and the Parties drawing support from those communities, but there is no firm evidence that these accusations are justified; and indeed there are certain historical reasons for this. The existing racial imbalance has evolved naturally because there have been insufficient Indian recruits of the required standard. The Indian community, on the other hand, have naturally tended to commerce and rural occupations, so there is, for example, a preponderance of Indians who benefit under Government-sponsored land settlement schemes; so apparently the one balances the other.

In regard to the detainees themselves, my information is that under the regulation 36 persons—that is to say, 35 P.P.P. (People's Progressive Party) and one P.N.C. (People's National Congress)—were originally detained last June, and shortly afterwards the number was increased by five P.N.C. detainees to 41.

In regard to the last suggestion made by the noble Lord, certainly this point will be brought to the notice of the Secretary of State himself for consideration. I am sure that the noble Lord's enquiry to-day will be helpful in that direction. May I further add that the International Committee of Jurists have been invited by Mr. Burnham himself, quite spontaneously, to examine the whole matter, the terms of reference being, to examine the balance between the races in the police force, the volunteer force, the civil service, Government-sponsored land settlement schemes, and so forth. We have yet to hear whether that invitation has been accepted.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend first this supplementary question regarding the detainees? The numbers show a considerable proportion of the Opposition in contrast with Government supporters, and if, unofficially, our Government could use their influence to secure the release of these detainees as soon as possible this would improve the psychological position. In regard to the—

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS: Question!

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I will put my next point as a further question if there is any objection to it.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, I was not quite certain what the noble Lord was about to say towards the end of his question; therefore, I cannot answer it. With regard to the former part, may I say that certainly I will bring his observations to the notice of the Secretary of State? I would simply say again that of course Her Majesty's Government now have no responsibility in this matter; it rests entirely with the British Guiana Government.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, may I explain that when I first put a supplementary it was rather long, and I was told that it was better to divide it into two supplementaries? The further supplementary I want to put is this. While one welcomes the fact that the International Committee of Jurists have been invited to examine the question of the imbalance, those of us who believe deeply in the contribution of the Commonwealth would greatly like to see the Commonwealth itself making a contribution on this matter. Would it not be possible at the coming Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference to consider having a permanent presence in British Guiana until the problem of the conflict between the Indian and African races there is resolved?

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, desirable as that may be, obviously it rests with the British Guiana Government to decide whether they will accept such a proposal. But again I will merely say that I will bring this matter to the attention of the Secretary of State.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, is it not a fact that if anybody is to be detained he should be detained because he is a danger, and that it has nothing to do with whether he does or does not belong to any particular Party?

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, I assume that is so in this case.