HC Deb 27 July 1949 vol 467 cc2465-6
36. Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reason censorship is applied to letters and telegrams despatched by Mr. Anthony Brooke from Singapore and this country to Sarawak.

Mr. Rees-Williams

So far as I am aware, Mr. Brooke's correspondence is not censored either here or in the Far East. If my hon. Friend will let me have the evidence on which his Question is based, I will look into it.

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

I will let my hon. Friend look into it.

37. Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reasons the ban on the entry of Mr. Anthony Brooke into Sarawak is still maintained.

Mr. Rees-Williams

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Brighton (Mr. Teeling) on 26th January, last.

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

Is my hon. Friend aware that this is a real encroachment on the liberty of the subject. If Mr. Anthony Brooke has done something wrong, why is he not charged with an offence and brought to book in that way?

Mr. Rees-Williams

I do not accept my hon. Friend's description of this matter at all.

Mr. Teeling

In view of the fact that when any prisoner is condemned in the Army now his case is looked into every so many months, can the hon. Gentleman tell us how often the case of Mr. Brooke is gone into by the Colonial Office?

Mr. Rees-Williams

I should think the two things are entirely different, but we have the matter under constant review.