HC Deb 25 March 1948 vol 448 cc370-2W
Lady Grant

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the disturbances in the Gold Coast were attributed to ex-Service men, the leader of the demonstration was also an ex-Service man.

Mr. Rees-Williams

The question of the responsibility for the disturbances is a matter for the Commission of Inquiry to be appointed. Permission was granted to the Secretary of the Ex-Service Men's Union to hold a procession on 28th February along an agreed route, but I have no information whether or not the Secretary was responsible for anything that occurred after the presentation of the petition at the Secretariat.

Lady Grant

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on whose recommendation troops were flown to the Gold Coast from a neighbouring Colony; and were these troops of Gold Coast origin.

Mr. Rees-Williams

The request for the troops was made by the Governor of the Gold Coast after consultation with the General Officer Commanding in Chief, West African Command. They were battalions of the Nigeria Regiment of the Royal West Africa Frontier Force, and form part of the West Africa Command.

Mr. West

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement regarding the Commission to be sent to the Gold Coast.

Mr. Creech Jones

Yes. I have asked Mr. A. Aiken Watson, K.C. (Chairman), Mr. Andrew Dalgleish and Dr. K. A. H. Murray, Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford to serve on a Commission to the Gold Coast. The terms of reference of which will beTo inquire into and report on the recent disturbances in the Gold Coast and their underlying causes; and to make recommendations on any matter arising from their inquiry.

Name. Territory where now serving. Trade Union membership at time of first appointment.
Mr. Ken Baker … Hong Kong Fire Brigades Union.
Mr. D. Barrett … Gambia Transport and General Workers Union.
Mr. W. M. Bissell … British Guiana Electrical Trades Union.
Mr. J. A. Brazier … Malaya National Union of Railwaymen.
Mr. R. Caddick … Singapore National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers.
Mr. H. E. Chudleigh … Palestine (now in Social Welfare Department). Amalgamated Engineering Union.
Mr. W M. Comrie … Northern Rhodesia Transport and General Workers Union.
Mr. P. H. Cook … Nigeria National Union of Railwaymen.
Mr. R. Curry … Nigeria National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers.
Mr. I. G. Jones … Gold Coast South Wales Miners' Federation.
Mr. O. Kitching … Gold Coast National Union of Railwaymen.
Mr. R. F. Lewis … Nigeria Transport and General Workers' Union.
Mr. R. W. Osgathorp … Kenya-Uganda Railway Railway Clerks' Association
Mr. J. Patrick … Kenya Railway Clerks' Association.
Mr. N. Pearson … Tanganyika Railway Clerks Association.
Mr. M. E. Hollister-Short … Fiji Transport and General Workers Union.
Mr. J. Stirling … Mauritius Iron and Steel Trades' Confederation.

The Secretary will be Mr. E. G. G. Hanrott of the Colonial Office. It is intended that the Commission should fly to the Gold Coast during the week beginning 5th April.