§ 57. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that a crowd of Somalis stoned the District Commissioner's car when he took the hon. Members for Edmonton and Billericay to Berbera on 4th March and that a number of arrests were made by the police; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydYes. A crowd of some 500 Somalis, mainly young men, but including some women and children, attempted to stop the passage of the District Commissioner's car, in which the two hon. Members were travelling, by lying in the roadway. The police intervened and some stones were thrown at the car. The police dispersed the crowd using seven tear gas grenades. No casualties or damage to property occurred and the situation in the town returned to normal within two hours. The known ringleaders have been arrested and criminal prosecutions are being instituted. The hon. Members continued successfully with their programme.