HC Deb 18 April 1956 vol 551 cc68-9W
55. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds the homes of Mr. J. F. Sangala, the president of the Nyasaland African Congress, Mr. S. B. Somanji, the treasurer, and Mr. T. D. T. Banda, the secretary, were raided and searched on 6th April, 1956.

56. Mrs. White

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what evidence the decision was taken to search the premises of Congress leaders in Blantyre: and what was the result of the search.

Mr. Hare

The homes of these Congress leaders were searched by police, with search warrants from the Magistrate, in order to investigate alleged seditious offences. The Attorney-General is now considering laying charges for sedition against certain individuals and summonses have already been issued against Mr. J. F. Sangala. As the matter will therefore be the subject of criminal proceedings, I regret that I cannot properly state the evidence which gave rise to the search or the results of it.