§ 70. Mr. Beswickasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is 202W aware that Section 52 of the Seychelles Penal Code imposes severe restrictions on the holding of public meetings; and if he will take steps to have this Section deleted.
Mr. Creech JonesI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for St. Albans (Mr. Dumpleton) on 26th February. I can assure him that the provisions of Section 52 will be carefully reviewed together with other Sections of the Seychelles Penal Code. In the meantime, I might observe that Section 52 has not been the subject of any local representations to the Governor, and no application has been made under it during the last five years. I understand that in actual practice it is improbable that proceedings would be taken under this Section in respect of a meeting not held in a public place.