33. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give a list of persons detained without trial in the Colonial Empire on grounds of security, but not including alien nationals of Axis countries; whether periodic returns are called for by his Department; and whether periodic reviews as to continued detention are made.
§ Colonel StanleyIt would be contrary to the practice of His Majesty's Govern- 178 ment to give a list of the names of persons detained under Defence Regulations in the Colonial Dependencies equivalent to Defence Regulation 18s of the United Kingdom. All cases are reported to me as they occur, and also as they come under review by the Advisory Committees and the Governors from time to time. Governors have standing instructions to review all cases at intervals of not more than twelve months except where the weight of evidence of subversive activity or disposition of the detained person is such as clearly would require his detention for the duration of the war despite any change in local conditions, and to render therefore reconsideration nugatory. The procedure for annual review does not, however, preclude a Governor from reconsideration at any time of any cases in which the acquisition of new evidence, or a change of circumstances, or the existence of special hardships seems to warrant exceptional treatment. I will obtain from Governors a statement of the number of persons detained at the end of June, 1944; and I will make this available to the House.
§ Mr. SorensenCould the Colonial Secretary also give particulars of those who were detained and have now been released—the total number since the war began?
§ Colonel StanleyI will certainly look into that.
Viscount HinehingbrookeWill these cases come up before my right hon. and gallant Friend for consideration and review?
§ Colonel StanleyThe question of review rests with the Government. The idea is to ask the Governor to reconsider the matter, but the power of review is in the hands of the Government.