§ Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he is aware that Mr. Kenneth Kaunda, a British protected citizen of Northern Rhodesia, was recently detained by the Federal authorities for five hours at Salisbury airport on arrival there from London; and, in view of the hardship caused to Mr. Kaunda by this exceptional treatment during which his personal and other papers, including official correspondence with the Governor, were forcibly confiscated without any reason being given, whether 72W he will make representations on his behalf to the Federal Government.
§ Mr. BraineI have seen various reports on this matter. I have also seen a statement issued by the Federal Government that only routine Customs investigation was carried out, during which a locked case was retained by the Customs officials for inspection when it could be opened in the presence of Mr. Kaunda or his representative, that Mr. Kaunda was held up by the Federal Customs authorities only for about three-quarters of an hour, and that his departure for Lusaka was not delayed. Customs matters in the Federation are the responsibility solely of the Federal Government. In these circumstances, there are no grounds for intervention by my right hon. Friend.