§ 15. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies his policy with regard to the introduction into other Colonial Territories of the type of quasi-emergency procedure which is being introduced by the Kenya Government.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodOther Colonial Governments may well wish to consider whether legislation of the type which is being introduced by the Kenya Government would produce a suitable framework for dealing with local security problems. I shall be prepared to examine, in consultation with the Governments concerned, any proposals for similar legislation that may be made.
§ Mr. RobinsonWhilst I accept the Colonial Secretary's motive in what he said about the sledgehammer of the Emergency Powers Order, may I ask whether he appreciates that this new procedure may well make it easier for Colonial Governors to detain persons without trial? Therefore, will he at least give an assurance that this new procedure will be debated in this House before he contemplates any extension of it?
§ Mr. MacleodThe last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is not, of course, a matter for me, but, on his main point, if I remember 189 rightly, The Times leader that commented on this came to the correct conclusion when it said that though this might be a useful precedent it was not one to be slavishly followed. That is how I look on it. I think that one must look at the needs of each Territory specially to see if the Kenya precedent has any application to it.