75. Mr. CREECH JONESasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many of the 19,737 natives of Southern Rhodesia who were convicted under the laws passed in the year 1935 were sentenced to imprisonment; and whether the prison accommodation has been increased since 1923 or, if not, what arrangement is made for the increase in the number of prisoners?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)I have no information as to how many of the natives who were convicted under the pass Laws in 1935 were sentenced to imprisonment, but am making inquiries. The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.
Mr. CREECH JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the new Registration Bill will have the effect of largely increasing the prison population?
§ Mr. MacDONALDI am rather inclined to think it may have the opposite effect.