Emergency Procedure
15.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies his policy with regard to the introduction into other Colonial Territories of the type of quasi-emergency procedure which is being introduced by the Kenya Government.
Other Colonial Governments may well wish to consider whether legislation of the type which is being introduced by the Kenya Government would produce a suitable framework for dealing with local security problems. I shall be prepared to examine, in consultation with the Governments concerned, any proposals for similar legislation that may be made.
Whilst I accept the Colonial Secretary's motive in what he said about the sledgehammer of the Emergency Powers Order, may I ask whether he appreciates that this new procedure may well make it easier for Colonial Governors to detain persons without trial? Therefore, will he at least give an assurance that this new procedure will be debated in this House before he contemplates any extension of it?
The last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is not, of course, a matter for me, but, on his main point, if I remember rightly, The Times leader that commented on this came to the correct conclusion when it said that though this might be a useful precedent it was not one to be slavishly followed. That is how I look on it. I think that one must look at the needs of each Territory specially to see if the Kenya precedent has any application to it.
Restriction Orders
21.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many people are now rusticated for political offences; and what principles are applied by Her Majesty's Government in deciding how long their rustication shall continue.
Restriction orders are imposed by Colonial Governments on grounds of public security, and remain in force, subject to regular review, so long as a threat to public security continues. I am asking the Governments concerned for a return of the number of orders currently in force and will then communicate with the hon. Member.
Does the Colonial Secretary himself make inquiry from time to time as to whether the number is increasing or decreasing? Is he keeping an eye on this matter to see that the number affected decreases rather than increases in future?
Yes, I do keep an eye on it in these territories that are most under the microscope, as it were, at the present time, but I can answer the Question in full only by asking all the Governments where these sort of ordinances exist.
Is it not very embarrassing to our representatives at the United Nations when they are discussing problems in other countries to be faced with the charge that we ourselves are responsible for locking up so many people for political offences without trial?
This matter is related to rustication and restriction.
Corona Library Books (Grants)
24.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he is subsidising the Corona Library series of books from Colonial Development and Welfare funds.
A scheme has been in operation since 1950. There was then, and there still is today, a serious lack of literary works containing comprehensive and authoritative information about individual British dependent territories.
Grants from C.D. & W. funds have accordingly been made to provide a planned series of books, published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office to meet the needs of overseas service probationers under training, officers of the overseas services, and serious students of colonial affairs.As the hon. Gentleman knows, I agree entirely with the purpose of this series—I think that it is an excellent one—but is not it the case that Colonial Development and Welfare funds were meant to be devoted to raising the standard of living of the dependent territories, and were not meant to be used to subsidise publications for circulation in this country? Will the hon. Gentleman consider either of two alternatives? Is it possible to put this series on a commercial basis or, alternatively, subsidise it from another and more appropriate Vote of this House?
I will certainly consult at any rate one of my right hon. Friends who knows something about publishing with regard to the hon. Gentleman's suggestion that we should put it on a commercial basis, although I am surprised at his making that suggestion since it might identify him too much with the right hon. Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay)—
Who?
The hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, North, whose advocacy of private enterprise against nationalisation is known to the whole House.
I think that the expenditure of Colonial Development and Welfare funds to increase the understanding of those who are responsible for development and progress in the Colonies fully justifies the experiment we have been making. We do not expect that there will be any loss. We have spent about £21,000, of which we have already recovered £14,000, and we expect that sales will be sufficient over the next few years to enable us to bring out more books in the series.
Will the Minister look at this matter again? I am sure that everybody who knows the series welcomes it and welcomes the spending of Government money upon it, but would not it be much better to take the money out of the Colonial Office Vote instead of out of Colonial Development and Welfare funds which are deliberately earmarked for raising living standards in the underdeveloped territories?
The sum involved in this case was about £13,000. It was a deliberate contribution towards equipping the officers who go out to raise living standards to do their job properly. It has always been accepted that the officers themselves can be a legitimate charge on Colonial Development and Welfare funds, and, therefore, what is, I think, an essential part of their training can be treated in the same way.
Does the series include the Devlin Report? If not, can arrangements be made to include it?
The answer to both those supplementary questions is in the negative.