HC Deb 16 July 1957 vol 573 cc926-7
15. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will advise the Governor of Northern Rhodesia to amend the Riot Damage Ordinance of 1957 to allow for a means of appeal against the imposition of a levy under Section 8 and that such an appeal shall be to a judicial body.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No, Sir.

Mr. Stonehouse

Does not the Colonial Secretary agree that it can create a most unfortunate impression when a fine can be imposed on a political body without any appeal being allowed, and will he look further into this?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I think that if the hon. Member will re-read the history of this country, he will come to the conclusion that in a comparable stage of political development this situation existed here. Levy, or compensation, is essentially an act of the Executive, and I cannot see on what principle it would be possible to make a levy of this kind subject to a judicial court.