§ Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what sums of money have been paid to informers who 155W provided information to the Nyasaland Government concerning a Congress meeting which took place on 25th January;
(2) in what form information became available to the Nyasaland Government on 13th February regarding the meeting held on 25th January of Congress delegates; whether written reports are now available; and whether he will arrange for these to be placed in the Library;
(3) which leading members of the Nyasaland Congress attended the meeting held on 25th January;
(4) what evidence is available that the meeting of the Nyasaland Congress delegates on 25th January was held at the direction of Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda;
(5) in what form information became available to the Nyasaland Government subsequent to 13th February concerning the details of the meeting held on 25th January by Congress delegates.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn view of the decision to appoint a Commission of Inquiry I am not prepared at this stage to add anything to, or to comment upon, the matters contained in the despatch from the Governor of Nyasaland dated the 18th March which was published as an appendix to Government White Paper Cmnd. 707. Nor am I prepared to make public anything further about the sources of the information at the Governor's disposal as this would be contrary to the public interest.
§ Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the 140 delegates who attended the Nyasaland African Congress meeting on 25th January have been detained under the emergency regulations; and what charges will be brought against them.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI would refer the hon. Member to my answer to several other Questions which I have given to him today. Most of the delegates who attended the meeting are among those who have since been detained. The question of prosecution is a matter for the Attorney-General of Nyasaland.