HC Deb 02 May 1967 vol 746 cc26-8W
14. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what inquiries he has made from the British High Commission in Lusaka about tae arrest and imprisonment of four British subjects, including Lieutenant-Colonel Arnott, in Zambia on 13th April; what are the charges against them; and when a trial will take place.

Mr. George Thomas

As regards the first part of this Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Members for Leeds, North-West (Sir D. Kaberry) and Portsmouth, Lang-stone (Mr. Ian Lloyd) on 19th April.

The arrested men have since been served with statements informing them of the grounds on which they have been detained. These are that they have conspired to collect information relating to the public security of Zambia for a foreign Power and communicated it to that foreign Power. Their legal advisers have been permitted to interview them.

The Government of Zambia have said that they are actively considering the question of criminal proceedings, but no decision has yet been announced.—[Vol. 745, c. 113.]

23. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what total of contingency and planning assistance, excluding aid and defence, is being given to Zambia in this financial year; and what has or is to be spent on purchases from Great Britain.

Mr. George Thomas

Under an agreement signed on 1st February, £13.85 million contingency assistance has been offered to Zambia for expenditure incurred up to 30th June. Of this sum, £3.8 million was disbursed in the last financial year. The great majority of the equipment specified under the agreement has been, or will be, purchased in Britain.

Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how many Britons have been deported from Zambia in the last six months; how many have been arrested; how many of these have received a trial; and in how many cases he made representations to the Zambian Government.

Mr. George Thomas

During the last six months, nine United Kingdom citizens, together with two wives and five children, have been declared prohibited immigrants by the Zambian Government.

Representations were made in three of these cases and one of them has been rescinded.

Six United Kingdom citizens have been arrested for reasons other than expulsion; one of them has been sentenced, one was acquitted, and one is on bail and still under trial. Representations have been made on behalf of the remaining three who are detained for security reasons.

In addition, two United Kingdom citizens have just been arrested, apparently for immigration offences. Representations have been made.

Details are as follows:—

DECLARED PROHIBITED IMMIGRANTS
5th November, 1966 Major R. Paton and Mrs. Paton and two children (representations made).
13th November, 1966 Major W. J. Eastwood (representations made).
21st March, 1967 Mr. C. Cunningham.
24th March, 1967 Mrs. C. Cunningham.
12th April, 1967 Mr. J. Aleman and Mrs. Aleman and three children (was also arrested).
14th April, 1967 Mr. W. S. Stephens (representations made and order rescinded).
17th April, 1967 Mr. L. Young (was also arrested).
23rd April, 1967 Mr. Boyle.
Mr. Wood.
ARRESTS
November, 1966 Mr. G. Gissing (tried and acquitted).
28th December, 1966 Mr. I. D. Wynne (under trial).
13th April, 1967 Lieutenant Colonel J. M. Arnott.
Mr. H. P. Nursten.
Mr. Ian Haigh (representations made in all three cases).
21st April, 1967 Mr. D. B. Littlejohn (tried and sentenced).
28th April, 1967 Mr. R. Deans.
Mr. J. S. Moir (representations made in both cases).

TRIALS

Mr. G. Gissing, Mr. I. D. Wynne and Mr. D. B. Littlejohn (see above).

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