HC Deb 11 June 1959 vol 606 c1150
15. Mr. Foot

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent it is still the intention of the Kenya Government, as announced by the Governor in his speech to the Kenya Legislative Council on 4th November, 1958, to enact permanent legislation under which persons will continue to be imprisoned or restricted without trial after the present state of emergency has been declared at an end; whether it is still his intention to establish a settlement at Hola for this purpose; and whether he is now able to give any particulars of the proposed legislation.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Detention and restriction without trial will continue for so long as they are strictly required by the exigencies of the situation in Kenya. The legal provisions for this purpose are still under consideration. Those who have to be held will be kept at Hola, because in this area it is possible to allow them the maximum personal liberty without danger to security.

Mr. Foot

Is it not a fact that in his speech on 4th November His Excellency the Governor foreshadowed permanent legislation for detention without trial? Is not this a new and extremely sinister departure from what has hitherto happened in any Colony for which we are responsible?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There is nothing sinister in this, it is related solely to the preservation of law and order in Kenya. I would be very ready to place in the Library the statement that His Excellency the Governor actually made.