HC Deb 12 March 1952 vol 497 cc1374-5
31. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the publication, "New Times and Ethiopia News," a copy of which has been sent him, has been prohibited from being sent to British Somaliland; and what other papers are similarly prohibited, by whose authority, and the date of such prohibition.

Mr. Lyttelton

The importation of this publication into the Somaliland Protectorate was prohibited on 31st March, 1950, by the Governor, who has under legislation powers to prohibit in his discretion the importation of publications which in his opinion are contrary to the public interest. I understand that the publication in question frequently contains violent attacks on the administration of the neighbouring United Nations Trust Territory of Somalia. I will send the hon. Member a list of other publications prohibited under the same authority.

Mr. Freeman

is it not a fact that this publication is the only one supporting the United Nations' policy in the adjacent country of Somaliland, and is that, therefore, considered to be a good reason for the prohibition?

Mr. Lyttelton

I think that the information of the hon. Member is different from mine. I said the publication contained violent attacks on the administration of the United Nations trust territory.

Mr. Freeman

Is not a legitimate attack a recognised right of free speech? Why should this be denied if it is only an attack?

Mr. Lyttelton

The hon. Member begs the question when he says it is legitimate criticism.

Sir Ralph Glyn

Is it not time we stopped the publication in that country of papers which do nothing but attack British administration?

Mr. S. Silverman

Is not this publication one that came into existence at the time of the Italian aggression upon Abyssinia, and has it not been published regularly ever since? Is not it a perfectly respectable and responsible paper, and does the right hon. Gentleman share the view that attacks on the Government are not in the public interest?

Mr. Lyttelton

That is not at all my view. Attacks on the Government are generally in the public interest, but this publication is attacking the administration of a neighbouring territory, and in the opinion of the Governor it was against the public interest to circulate it in the Colony.