§ 57. Mr. Orbachasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the raids made by local police on the offices of the Jamaican Federation of Trade Unions and the People's Education Organisation on 22nd March, and on the office of the Jamaican Women's Assembly on 1st April.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe searches were for publications whose importation is prohibited under the Jamaica Undesirable Publications Law. In the premises which include the offices of the Jamaica Federation of Trade Unions and the People's Education Organisation the police found a considerable volume of Communist literature but no prohibited publications.
While there has been no separate search of the offices of the Jamaican Women's Assembly (which are believed to be in the same building) the home of its President was searched on 27th March and a prosecution for being in possession of prohibited documents is pending against her.
§ Mr. D. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the reason for the raid on 22nd March on the offices of the People's Educational Organisation of Jamaica; what evidence was found of Communist propaganda; and how far this organisation is connected with the Extra-Mural Department of the University of the West Indies.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe offices of this organisation were searched under a search warrant for publications whose import is prohibited under the Jamaica Undesirable22W Publications Law. A considerable volume of Communist literature was found, but no prohibited publications. There is no connection between the People's Education Organisation and the Extra-Mural Department of the University College of the West Indies.