§ Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is 244W aware that in August last two African artisans working in a compound at Kissy Flat, Freetown, Sierra Leone, were shot and killed by white soldiers, another artisan being seriously wounded, all references to the incidents being censored in the local Press and, as the coroner's inquest found that unnecessary force was used by the military, why no action has been taken against those responsible; and will he secure the same and preserve the confidence of the workers that the Government will protect them against unjustifiable military attacks?
§ Colonel StanleyThe riot between African soldiers and civilians, to which my hon. Friend refers, occurred on 6th August last at Kissy, near Freetown. It resulted from a personal quarrel between an African soldier from the nearby Military Camp and an African civilian. Subsequent action, taken on the responsibility of the Officer in Command of the Camp in order to protect the Camp and to prevent damage to persons and property, led to firing by the troops, as a result of which two African civilians were killed and one was seriously wounded. At the coroner's inquest the jury returned the verdict that the deaths were caused by the use of excessive force. On being asked whether they wished to record a verdict of manslaughter, they replied that they had deliberately refrained from including this in their verdict. At the military Court of Inquiry it was found that the opening of fire by the troops was justified, but that in some respects the instructions laid down in the appropriate Service regulations had not been fully followed. The Court recommended certain measures as a precaution against further incidents of this kind, and the Governor is satisfied that the action taken in accordance with their recommendations will ensure the constant instruction of all ranks in the principles and details of aid rendered to the civilian powers by the armed forces. The Governor, taking into account the fact that evidence of criminal action, such as would justify criminal proceedings had not been disclosed by the coroner's inquest or the military Court of Inquiry, decided not to institute such proceedings against any of the persons concerned in the incident. The payment of compensation to the wounded man and to the dependants of the deceased has been authorised by the military authorities. I see no 245W reason to question the action of the civil and military authorities in Sierra Leone in this matter. The assumption in the latter part of the Question that the military authorities were responsible for the riot that led to the intervention of the troops, or that such intervention was unjustifiable, is not in accordance with the facts.