§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the restrictions being placed upon the Action Group holding public meetings in the Northern Region of Nigeria and, in particular, the Ilurin Province; and what instructions he has sent to the residents of that area regarding this matter.
§ Mr. LytteltonNo special restrictions are placed on the holding of public meetings by the Action Group in the Northern Region. In referring specifically to Ilorin Province, the hon. Member194W presumably has in mind a meeting held by the Action Group of Offa on 19th June. A permit to hold this meeting, subject to certain conditions, was granted by the Ilorin Native Authority after due notice had been given. The answer to the last part of the Question is, "None." The Lieutenant-Governor of the Northern Region has, however, issued general instructions to residents that they should advise Native Authorities that every application for a licence to hold a meeting should be treated strictly on its merits and that no application should be refused except when there is undoubted reason to suppose that the meeting would result in a serious breach of the peace.