§ 86. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for War if he is now able to make a statement on the shooting of Basuto troops in Palestine, in November last.
§ Mr. Lawson:I am not yet in a position to make a final statement on this matter as the court of inquiry proceedings which are being sent from the Middle East have not yet been received and considered. I think, however, that the House will wish to have the facts so far as they are at present available. One hundred and nineteen Basutos of a particular company in Palestine were dissatisfied with the rate of repatriation and resorted to mass disobedience. They were charged with the offence and confined for safe custody in the military prison and detention barracks at Nuseirat. On 19th December, 1945, they were sentenced to six and nine months' imprisonment.
The sentences were promulgated on 31st December and immediately following the promulgation, a mutiny broke out. The prison staff called for assistance, as two British officers and a number of British other ranks were injured by bricks thrown by the mutineers. Personnel of a Parachute Brigade were sent to the assistance of the prison staff, and in order to restore order, after use of tear smoke had failed, were compelled to open fire on the mutineers killing three and wounding 12 Basutos.
I should prefer not to express any opinion on the action which was taken by those concerned until I have considered the full proceedings of the court of inquiry. All the sentences were suspended on 5th March and remitted on 25th March. All the Basutos concerned left the Middle East on their way home on 25th March.