HC Deb 16 April 1947 vol 436 cc18-9W
69. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what date A.C.2 Harold Sutherland, now awaiting trial at Uxbridge, was arrested; what is the nature of the injury to this airman's head; if he is aware that this injury was inflicted after he had been arrested and handcuffed; for how long he has been kept in solitary confinement and handcuffed; if he is aware that a witness whom this airman proposed to call in his defence has now been posted home to Jamaica; what is the present state of his health; and how soon he is to be tried.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

A.C.2 Sutherland was arrested at Uxbridge on 8th January, 1947; since then, he has been in close arrest. On 12th March he was extremely violent; during a struggle he received a scalp wound, for which one stitch was needed. Later on the same day, when he had done further damage to his cell and had again attacked his guards, he was handcuffed. The handcuffs were removed for meals and exercise, and Sutherland was finally released from them on 25th March. The airman whom the defence wished to call as a witness was due to go home in the middle of January. He was not considered to be a material witness and it was decided, therefore, not to keep him here. A.C.2 Sutherland has been medically examined and passed as physically fit to stand his trial. His trial, which was adjourned from 3rd March to 3rd April at the request of the defence, was postponed, again at their request," until the 9th. He has now been tried and the proceedings are before the Air Officer Commanding for confirmation.

70. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the concern caused by recent incidents involving West Indian airmen at the R.A.F. station, Uxbridge; and if he will investigate the conditions of detention and punishment there.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Two West Indian airmen have recently been in trouble at Uxbridge. One of them was tried by court-martial on 21st March and sentenced to six months' detention. He has submitted a petition and his case is stillsub judice. The other—A.C.2 Sutherland —was tried on 9th and 10th April. The findings and sentence in this case will be promulgated shortly, if they are confirmed by the Air Officer Commanding. If they are so confirmed, the proceedings will then be sent to the Air Ministry for review. I have received a report on the conditions of detention at Uxbridge, and I am writing to my hon. Friend. I can assure him, however, that I have no reason to believe that either the station commander or his subordinates have abused their powers while these men have been in custody. I would, however, also assure him that if, in any case, at any time, an airman were to suffer improper treatment on account of his race or colour, such treatment would not be tolerated in the R.A.F.