§ 77 and 78. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) seeing that certain questions affecting the government of Southern Rhodesia are reserved for the approval of the Crown, whether these include the submission to the Secretary of State of the Bill A. B. 10, 1932, dealing with newspapers and documents affecting the natives; and whether a copy of this Bill has yet been submitted to him;
(2) whether he is aware that a Bill has been introduced into the Rhodesian legislature providing for a penalty of five years' imprisonment with hard labour, and a fine not exceeding £500, for any person found to be in possession of a document of any kind or of newspaper extracts of any kind which are likely to have a tendency directly or indirectly to incite any native or body of natives to commit an unlawful act; whether such Bill has been submitted to him for consideration; and, if not, whether he will ask that a copy of this Bill may be forwarded to him?
The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)I have received a copy of this Bill and its terms are receiving consideration.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs my right hon. Friend aware that this Bill does impose very serious penalties upon the reading of the natives in Southern Rhodesia?