HC Deb 23 July 1941 vol 373 cc880-1
40. Mr. David Adams

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in Jamaica the Defence Regulations provide no means whereby the Governor may be called upon to inform the legislature how many persons are interned, and in how many cases he has declined to follow the advice of his Advisory Board relating to their release or further detention, and that the Advisory Board does not possess the powers necessary to investigate cases; and whether he will take immediate steps to ensure that the Jamaican Defence Regulations shall be brought, at least, up to the level of those in Great Britain, with reference to guaranteeing the liberty of the subject in this connection?

The Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Shakespeare)

I have been asked to reply. The reply to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the Advisory Committee in Jamaica is empowered, as in this country, to consider representations made to it by persons whose detention has been ordered under the Defence Regulations. As regards the last part of the Question, by Noble Friend is at present in communication with the Governor of Jamaica.

Mr. Adams

In view of the fact that a number of people have been detained since the war began and their cases have not yet been investigated, may I ask why the proposed procedure was not followed many months ago?

Mr. Shakespeare

There is some difficulty. I understand that the Governor is now making a report and suggesting that the Advisory Committee in the Colony should be put on the same footing as the Advisory Committee here.