61. M. J, Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement regarding the hostile disturbances outside his places of residence in Freetown, Sierra Leone and Bathurst, Gambia, during his recent visit to West Africa; and what are the grievances of the local inhabitants.
§ M. Lennox-BoydThe disturbances were in no sense hostile to me or to Her Majesty's Government. In Freetown demonstrations took place to show support for the various political parties. As they became unruly it was necessary for the police to disperse them. In Bathurst an inaccurate account was given to a public meeting of a discussion which I had had with political leaders. As a result some of those at the meeting came to Government House to seek an interview with me. I was not there at the time, but the crowd would not go away and as they also were becoming unruly it was again necessary for the police to take action. I would add that both in Freetown and in Bathurst the responsible30W leaders later expressed their great regret that these incidents should have taken place.