MR. BRYN ROBERTSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the military authorities at Barkley East excluded the reporter of the South African News from the trials of alleged rebels before the special Statutory Court by refusing to renew his permit to remain at Barkley East; and seeing that the South African News was the only paper that fully reported the proceedings of the courts, will he direct the permit to be renewed.
§ MR. BRODRICKFull reports of these treason trials will be found in the files of the South African News. The question of the permit is one for the military authorities in South Africa, and I see no reason for interfering with their action.
MR. BRYN ROBERTSWill the right hon. Gentleman inform me whether the permit was taken from this reporter, and whether, in consequence, he was unable to be present during a portion of the inquiry?
§ MR. BRODRICKI cannot answer that, I can only tell the hon. Member the fact that reports of the trial are in the paper.
MR. BRYN ROBERTSIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the reports only appeared till the permit was withdrawn, and could not then appear any longer?
§ MR. BRODRICKI am not aware.