HC Deb 29 February 1956 vol 549 cc1173-4
20. Mr. Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the titles of the publications prohibited from import into British Guiana.

Mr. Hare

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the list of titles in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Allaun

Is it not elementary justice that emigrants to British Guiana should be told which books are banned before they embark? Is the Minister aware that at this moment a student, after five years' studies in England, is suffering six months' imprisonment for carrying with him a book which he did not know was forbidden?

Mr. Hare

I am afraid that the hon. Member's facts are wrong. Presumably he is referring to Mr. R. S. Atherley. It is true that this man was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, but on appeal the sentence was reduced to a fine of 24 dollars, which is the equivalent of £5.

Mr. Elwyn Jones

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an indication of what publications are included in this colonial index? Whose index is it?

Mr. Hare

I have said—the hon. and learned Gentleman could not have heard me—that I am circulating the list of publications in the OFFICIAL REPORT. If, having studied it, the hon. and learned Gentleman would like to put down another Question, I should be perfectly prepared to answer it. It would take up too much of the time of the House to read the list out now.

Mr. Bevan

Of course, it is exceedingly satisfactory that on appeal the sentence was changed to a very minor one, but how did the prosecution arise?

Mr. Hare

If the right hon. Gentleman would like to put down a separate Question, I should be delighted to answer it.

Mr. Bevan

But here is a Question relating to the prohibition of publications in British Guiana. We are now told that a prosecution was made which was so ill-founded that on appeal the sentence was reduced to a minor one.

Mr. Hare

I shall be delighted to give the right hon. Gentleman all the information he wants, but this Question merely asks what are the titles of the publications.

Following is the list: