§ 119. Sir L. Plummerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will refer the papers referred to in paragraph 31 of the White Paper, British Guiana, Suspension of the Constitution, Command Paper No. 8980, 1953, alleging the existence of a hard core of some 400–500 party members who were ready to do violence at the bidding of the leaders, particularly Mr. King, to the Attorney-General of British Guiana.
§ 119. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state, the nature of the evidence in support of the allegation contained in Clause 31 of the White Paper, British Guiana, Suspension of the Constitution, Command Paper No 8980, 1953.
§ Mr. LytteltonThe statement in paragraph 31 of the White Paper that the P.P.P. has a well-developed cell system was based on close police observation of the party and was confirmed by the interception of instructions issued to these cells from party headquarters.
The presence of a hard core of party members prepared to do violence was deduced from police observations during the period immediately preceding the arrival of troops. They were used to quell opposition at the party's meetings and to disrupt those of their opponents and were responsible for the disorderly public behaviour at meetings of the House of Assembly. On the night of 10th October Mr. King was seen parading up and down the main business street of Georgetown in company with a gang of these persons.