§ 30. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far powers previously limited to a state of emergency, including detention without trial, are to be incorporated within the functions of the administration of Nyasaland; and when the remaining detainees arrested during the state of emergency are to be released.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThere is no question of the Nyasaland Government assuming emergency powers in normal conditions. It has become possible to terminate the formal state of emergency and the special powers now in force are the minimum necessary to preserve 670 public security during the transitional period, and will be kept under continuous review. The remaining detainees will be released when the Governor is satisfied that they no longer present any threat to the maintenance of law and order.
§ Mr. BrockwayYes, but have not many of the emergency powers been transferred to the normal Administration? Do not these include the control of public meetings, the control of places of residence, the control of movement and retention of detention without trial? Do not all these things outrage the Declaration of Human Rights which the United Nations has endorsed?
§ Mr. MacleodOnly two regulations have been made. Those relate to the control of meetings and in some cases to the control of movement. There are no powers to make new detention orders, and for such powers to be brought into force a declaration would have to be made similar to that which precedes a state of emergency. At the present time, that is clearly not in contemplation in Nyasaland.