18. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the conditions under which permits are given to Africans in Nyasaland to hold public meetings since the new Police Ordinance of December, 1958; and the number of meetings for which permits have been granted which have later been revoked after persons have actually assembled.
§ Mr. J. AmeryPermits for public meetings are issued on the condition that no demonstrations or processions take place in connection with the meetings. The Answer to the second part of the Question is "None, Sir".
Mr. DugdaleIs the hon. Member aware that under an ordinance passed in December by the Legislative Council, an ordinance which was opposed by the Africans on the Council, the police have power to stop a meeting even after a permit has been granted? Further, is he aware that permits are often asked for a month or even two months beforehand and are granted only one day beforehand? How can anybody be expected to arrange meetings under those conditions?
Mr. DugdaleNo. On a point of order. This is the second time that this sort of thing has happened with the hon.
1340 Gentleman. He tries to avoid supplementary questions by asking for other Questions to be put down, simply because he is totally unaware of the answers. Is not this most unsatisfactory?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is not a point of order.
§ Mr. AmeryI must insist on this. In his supplementary question, the right hon. Gentleman put two specific questions which were not included in his original Question and on neither have I information, except that such information as I have is to the contrary.