HC Deb 26 July 1950 vol 478 cc73-4W
104. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to incidents which occurred at the central stores of the Amalgamated Tin Mines of Nigeria at Bukura on 5th July, when tear gas was twice used against miners; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr. J. Griffiths

The disturbance is believed to have arisen as a result of a misunderstanding over conditions for the resumption of work after a recent strike. While the police were making routine inquiries into alleged rough treatment of a foreman during the first phase of the trouble a crowd collected and stones were thrown at the police. Tear gas was used to disperse the crowd. There were no injuries on either side. The men were persuaded to return to work by administrative and labour officers and the president of the Miners' Union, and efforts to settle by conciliation have been resumed.

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