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Civil Disturbances (Inquiry)

Volume 644: debated on Thursday 20 July 1961

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16.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is yet able to announce the terms of reference and the name of the person appointed to conduct inquiries into the recent riots in Zanzibar.

The terms of reference are

"To inquire into and report upon the civil disturbances which occurred in Zanzibar on the 1st June and succeeding days, including their causes and development and the steps taken to deal with them."
I am glad to announce that my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor has agreed to release Sir Stafford Foster-Sutton, President of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals of England and Wales, to conduct this important inquiry.

May I ask whether the Minister is aware that these terms of reference appear to be extremely comprehensive and that there will be a general welcome in Zanzibar for the fact that a judge from this country will be conducting the inquiry?

The terms are deliberately drawn wide so that Sir Stafford will not be impeded if he wishes to inquire into any matter, for example, affecting security.