Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it was considered necessary to enact in Gambia the Newspaper Registration and Sales Publications Ordinances; and whether notice was taken of local opinion on the matter.
§ Colonel StanleyThe Ordinances in question were enacted in order to bring legislation on the subject into line with legislation elsewhere in the West African 1345W Colonies. As a result of their enactment it has been possible to release the local Press from the censorship previously imposed under the Defence Regulations and from the obligation to obtain a licence at the cost of per annum, which was required under a Licensing Ordinance. The Bills were fully discussed in the Legislative Council, where they were opposed by African Unofficial Members of that Council. The opposition was concerned with details rather than with fundamental principles and seems to have been based on misunderstanding which, I understand, has now been removed as a result of a meeting between the Governor and representatives of local opinion, including one of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council.
— Half year ended: 30th September, 1941. 31st March, 1942. 30th September, 1942. 31st March, 1943. 30th September 1943. 31st March, 1944. £000s £000s £000s £000s £000s £000s Cheques: England 1,930 1,990 1,645 1,415 1,363 1,488 Scotland 143 131 148 118 144 126 Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes. 77 73 66 51 48 48 Bankers Bills and Notes: Scotland 65 75 85 97 107 116