§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food in how many cases have applications been made by officials of his Ministry to courts of summary jurisdiction for hearing in camera; under what statutory authority were such applications made; and upon what grounds?
§ Mr. MabaneApplication has been made by officers of my Department for a part of one case to be heardin camera. The power of the court to deal with such requests is contained in Section 6 of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, and the court was satisfied in this case that it was expedient in the interests of the defence of the realm that certain evidence should not be heard publicly.