§ 9. Mr. Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the detainees in Singapore now being kept in solitary confinement.
§ Mr. FisherDetainees are prevented from communicating with one another during the period of interrogation in order to prevent collusion and intimidation. Limited visits by relatives are permitted, and lawyers can make unlimited visits. Owing to the large numbers involved, tile interrogations have necessarily taken some time. My right hon. Friend is in consultation with the Singapore Government about ways and means of speeding up the interrogations, and the Prime Minister of Singapore has given him an assurance that he is anxious to end solitary confinement as soon as possible.
§ Mr. BottomleyWould the Under-Secretary ask his right hon. Friend to draw to the attention of the Government of Singapore the long-established practice under British administration that permitted political prisoners to enjoy conditions as near normal as possible, free from penal restrictions and discipline?
§ Mr. FisherI will certainly report that to my right hon. Friend as soon 882 as he comes back from India. Perhaps I may say, in passing, that I was very glad to hear that the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, East (Mr. Bottomley) has himself been invited to Singapore. I hope that he will go, as I would very much value his personal assessment of this very difficult position when he comes back. I think that that would be very helpful.