7. Mr. Leslie Haleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the powers of censorship on books, manuscripts and documents imported into Kenya possessed by the Governor of Kenya; and under what act or instrument these powers are possessed, and how far they have been recently exercised.
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. James Griffiths)Under Section 53 of the Kenya Penal Code, the Governor in Council has absolute discretion to prohibit the importation of any publication where he considers it would be contrary to the public interest. So far as I am aware the most recent exercise of these powers by the Governor in Council was in February last, in the case of a book "Africa—Britain's Third Empire."
Mr. HaleWill my right hon. Friend consider whether these arbitrary powers should continue to exist, and whether the exercise of them is designed to increase or decrease the circulation of these books in the colonies? What, in fact, do they do?
§ Mr. GriffithsThat is another question, a question of major policy. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put it on the Order Paper.