§ 44. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what powers of deportation are permitted to governors in each of the British Colonies and under what authority.
§ Mr. LytteltonColonial Governments must retain the normal right of all Administrations to deport aliens at their discretion. As regards British subjects or British protected persons, powers are conferred on all colonial administrations by a variety of legislation totalling in all some 150 ordinances or other enactments. In the majority of cases a person regarded as belonging to the territory cannot be deported. The whole question of this legislation, and in particular the retention in some cases of the power to deport British subjects or British protected persons without prior judicial inquiry, is under review, with the object of providing that such judicial process should normally be obligatory before deportation.
§ Mr. BrockwayWhile welcoming the latter part of the right hon. Gentleman's statement, might I ask him whether he has now had replies from the Governors of all the Colonies to the questions which were put to them on this matter immediately the right hon. Gentleman came into office?
§ Mr. LytteltonI have had replies—I think I am right in saying this, although I speak from memory—from all the Governors on this matter, but I have had to make further inquiries as the result of those replies.