§ 62. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on how many occasions the crowd were warned to disperse during the recent riot in British Guiana before the Coldstream Guards were ordered to fire upon them.
§ Mr. FisherI assume the hon. Member refers to an incident at Rosehall on the152W night of 6th July. A platoon commander, of the Coldstream Guards, who had been slashed at with a cutlass by one of a group pursuing a man, challenged the attackers and twice called upon them to halt. He then fired one rifle shot which killed two men. There was no crowd to be dispersed, and no order to fire was given to any troops.
§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the purposes for which British troops were recently sent to British Guiana and on or about 7th July were used there and opened fire, as a result of which some persons were killed; what British troops they were; and where they are now.
§ Mr. FisherAt the request of the Governor, made with the concurrence of the Premier, Dr. Jagan, a company of the second battalion of the Green Jackets was flown into British Guiana on 5th July for the purpose of assisting the civil power, if necessary, in the maintenance of law and order.
The specific incident to which I assume the hon. and learned Member refers took place at Rosehall on the night of 6th July, when a platoon commander of the Coldstream Guards, who was attacked while on patrol duty, fired one shot at a group of men after twice ordering them to halt, and killed two of them.
The battalion of the Coldstream Guards, which has formed the garrison in British Guiana for some months, is shortly due to be relieved as a normal replacement by a battalion of the Grenadier Guards.