§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on his further investigations into recent expulsions from Commonwealth countries in Africa of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, and on the action he took to obtain proper treatment for such citizens.
§ Mr. BottomleyI take it that the hon. Member is referring to the recent expulsion from Tanzania of Messrs, Dunmore, Gallaher and Butchard.
As regards Mr. Dunmore and Mr. Gallaher, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my noble 160W Friend Lord Shepherd in another place on 18th November and to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher) on 23rd November.
Mr. P. Butchard, a British teacher employed by the Tanzanian Government under the "Teachers for East Africa" scheme, was arrested in Lindi on 17th November, apparently for demonstrating against a local rally denouncing the alleged "Western plot". He was taken to Dar es Salaam on 18th November and held in custody until he was put on an aircraft for Britain on 20th November.
Deportation is the sovereign right of an independent government and we do not challenge this principle. Nevertheless, these incidents are bound to have a serious effect on public opinion in this country and on the confidence of the British community in Tanzania. I have felt it right to bring these considerations to the notice of the Tanzanian authorities in support of the representations which are being made by our High Commissioner in Dar es Salaam.