§ Mr. KEDWARDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the total casualties due to the recent disturbances in Nigeria; and whether it is proposed to conduct an impartial inquiry into the causes and results of these disturbances?
§ Dr. SHIELSAccording to the latest information available the casualties are six killed at Abak, four at Utu Etim Ekpo and 38 at Opobo. The Governor appointed a Commission to inquire into the incidents and has now telegraphed to say that he is appointing a new Commission consisting of two African un-officials, two European unofficials and one European official, with the Chief Justice as President, with terms of reference to inquire into the origin and cause and the responsibility for the disturbances and the measures taken to restore order. In the circumstances my Noble Friend proposes to await the Report of this Commission.
§ Mr. KEDWARDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, during the recent disturbances 1014W in Nigeria, machine guns were used to fire upon the women in Etim Ekpo and Abak; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Dr. SHIELSAs I have informed the hon. Member, detailed reports on the occurrences in the villages mentioned have not been received, but at Abak the shots were fired by the police, who are not armed with machine guns, and at Utu Etim Ekpo the number of casualties was four. On receipt of the report of the Commission of Inquiry I shall be in a position to reply further.
§ Mr. KEDWARDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the administration of Nigeria is now proceeding to levy heavy fines upon certain villages in Nigeria as penalties for the recent disturbances; and what is the amount being levied upon the villages of the Colony?
§ Dr. SHIELSNo information is yet available as to what action is being taken to levy compensation for the damage inflicted, which is estimated to amount to a considerable sum. From the reports received I am aware that two villages have been required to make deposits, totalling £2,300 in all, against the damage done, but I am not aware that any further fines have been levied.
§ Mr. KEDWARDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether the people of Umu Oyoro or Umu Akpara have petitioned the resident of Owerri province, pointing out to him the impossibility of paying the fine inflicted upon this small village; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Dr. SHIELSApart from the case of Azumini, to which I have referred in another answer, the only information available is that at Okpala the Chiefs and Elders were ordered to make a deposit of £300 against the damage done. There is no information that they have petitioned against the fines, but if they have, I have no doubt that the petition will be given due consideration. While damage done must be made good as far as possible, it-is not the policy of the Colonial Government to engage in retributive punishments. According to the information at present available, the damage done amounts to at least £20,000 in the stores looted, without taking into account other 1015W damage in various parts of the disturbed area. The Governor states that he has issued stringent instructions that no vindictive punishments are to be inflicted for damage done to property, or even for assaults on officers, and that the work of pacification and reconstruction is more important than punishment.
§ Mr. KEDWARDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that one village in Nigeria has been fined the sum of £2,000, payable within 24 hours, as a penalty for the disturbances which have recently taken place; and whether he will inquire into the matter?
§ Dr. SHIELSIt has been reported that the people of Azumini were required to deposit a sum of £2,000 against the damage done. They paid £1,900 the following morning and the balance within two days. Further despatches from the Governor will probably arrive by an early mail, pending which it seems unnecessary to make special inquiry.