§ 20. Mr. Bennasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish the terms of the law requiring Africans in Northern Rhodesia to carry night passes; and if he will give the reasons why this law is not repealed.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe relevant provisions are set out in the township regulations made under the Northern Rhodesia Townships Ordinance and the by-laws made under the Municipal Corporations Ordinance and the Mine Townships Ordinance; copies of all of these are in the Library of the House. As a result of a debate in the Northern Rhodesia Legislative Council last July, the relevant regulations have been suspended from 1st November for a trial period of six months in the township areas for which Government is responsible, in seven of the other townships and in three of the municipalities.
§ Mr. BennWhile I thank the right hon. Gentleman very much indeed for the decision to suspend these passes, may I ask him if he will consider within a short period abolishing them altogether, since the indignity which they impose on Africans far outweights their dubious value for control purposes?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am very grateful for any bouquets, but the credit lies with the Northern Rhodesian Government, which took the initiative.