HC Deb 30 June 1959 vol 608 c226
22. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which publications of the All African Peoples' Conference in Ghana have been banned in Nyasaland; and for what reasons.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The "All-African People's Conference News Bulletin" has been banned as its importation was considered to be against the public interest.

Mr. Brockway

Is not this really rather silly? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Does not the Conference at Accra represent a great democratic African movement—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—of the whole continent? Is it not like the attitude of King Canute to try to prevent these things arising and being reflected among the people?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I will not follow up the rather inadequate reference by the hon. Gentleman to the rôle of King Canute. The effect of this document on people who hitherto have not been subjected in a great degree to the extravagance of political writings may well be serious to public order.