§ Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reports he has received from Nyasaland regarding the burning of houses, cattle, kraals, and grain stores, in the Central Province last week; to what extent there was delay by the police in investigating these incidents; what are the preliminary results of the investigations; and what steps are being taken to prevent further acts of violence and intimidation in view of the elections on 15th August.
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§ Mr. Iain MacleodI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 3rd August. There was no delay by the police in investigating these incidents, the first of which were reported to the nearest police post twenty-five miles away early on 27th July. A detachment of police were assembled under the inspector-in-charge and, early the same afternoon, were making investigations on the spot. As I made clear to the hon. Member for Chigwell the Governor, who is in the best position to judge, sees no justification for postponing the elections either locally or generally.