22. Mr. David Adamsasked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that under the Undesirable Publications Ordinance, Sedition Ordinance, Deportation of British Subjects Ordinance and Assessors Ordinance, now operating in Sierra Leone Protectorate, complaints are general of the suppression of freedom of speech, freedom of the Press and freedom of meeting and of an unnecessary curfew order, and that there has been established an internment camp to which are committed, amongst others, natives who have called attention to abuses of the law; whether the situation in this Colony is receiving attention; and with what results?
§ Mr. George HallAs Freetown is an important defended port, special precautions are necessary there and in its neighbourhood. I am not, however, aware of there being any general complaints of the kind described. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any alleged abuses of the law, I will see that they are investigated.
Mr. AdamsWill the Minister take steps to obtain from the Governor the details of the situation there, which is extremely bad from the point of view of discontent with the oppressive measures imposed?
§ Mr. HallI can but repeat that we have received no complaints from anyone in this territory, and if my hon. Friend has any complaints, perhaps he will send them on to the Colonial Office.