§ 43. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the tape recordings made by Kenya Government officials of the speeches of African members of the Legislative Council at their public meetings will be used in evidence against these speakers: and whether copies of these records are deposited with them.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe production of these recordings as evidence in any case brought by the Crown for an alleged contravention of the law would be a matter for the Attorney-General of Kenya. I am consulting the Governor on the second part of the Question and will write to the hon. Member when I have his reply.
§ Mr. JohnsonBut would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the absolute accuracy of tape recording can always be questioned, because it can be so easily tampered with? Does he not think, then, that it is at least against all our canons of justice, and those of the United States and the Continent, to use this sort of evidence now or in the future?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am sure that the hon. Gentleman is not suggesting that the police or any other responsible authority would do that in Kenya—[Hors. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Well, in view of the glowing tributes paid by hon. Members opposite to the Government of Kenya after a recent visit, those jeers sound a little unreal, but I must point out that the value of any such evidence would, of course, be a matter for the court to determine.