§ 8. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the reasons for restraining the missionaries of Jehovah's Witnesses from entering or remaining in the Gold Coast, Kenya and other Colonial Territories?
§ Mr. J. GriffithsI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Selkirk (Mr. Macdonald) on 19th July.
§ Sir T. MooreWhile having no particular or personal interest in this movement or sympathy with it, and not having ready access to the answer which the right hon. Gentleman has no doubt before him, may I ask him if he would also bear in mind that it would be rather unwise unduly to restrict freedom of conscience or belief in any particular society?
§ Mr. GriffithsI appreciate that very fully, but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read the reply to which I have referred him I think he will find there are some reasons for adopting this course.
§ Mr. Niall MacphersonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is alleged that this Watch Tower movement has been confused with another movement of the same name; and will he go very carefully into this question because it is an important one?
§ Mr. GriffithsI received a very large number of letters from hon. Members on 2762 this subject, and I went into the matter very carefully indeed. I noted at the time the point raised by the hon. Member, but I am satisfied that what has been done by the Governors in these particular territories was justifiable.
§ Brigadier Thorprose—
§ Mr. Emrys HughesOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply given to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I wish to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.