HC Deb 09 March 1955 vol 538 cc438-40
23. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the books and journals which are on the prohibited list in Northern Rhodesia.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Swingler

Will the Secretary of State give an assurance that he will personally examine this list and inquire whether there is any appeal against this arbitrary censorship which exists in the Colonial Territories in Africa, and into the system whereby those who publish these publications that are put on the prohibited list are notified that their publications have been prohibited?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I will look into the latter point. In regard to the former, I have examined this list and I am satisfied that it is a matter entirely within the discretion of the Governor who, knowing all the local circumstances, is in the best position to decide which publications to prohibit.

Following is the list:

The following works by Sri Aurobindo:

  1. (a) "Sri Aurobindo and his Ashram,"published by Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondi-cherry.
  2. (b) "Sri Aurobindo Speeches."
  3. (c) "The Doctrine of Passive Resistance," published by T. Patro, of the Arya Publishing House, Calcutta;

All issues of "Spotlight on Africa," published by the Council of African Affairs in New York;

"The Mask is Off" by Jack Woddis, published by Thames Publications in England;

All issues of the periodical publications known as "The African and Colonial World" and "The African and Colonial World and the Indian," published by the Independent Publishing Co. of London.