§ Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what conditions lawful authority will be given to Africans to enter part of the railway reserve in Northern Rhodesia; and, in view of the fact that many farmers must 200W cross a railway line in order to reach their land, if he will give an assurance that such persons will not be penalised as a result of the amendment to the Penal Code dated 14th February, 1958.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydLawful authority will be given to Africans to enter the railway reserve in accordance with the proposed amendment to the Penal Code (Penal Code (Amendment) Bill of 14th March, 1958), namely, if they use the public way or an authorised path or are on a portion of the railway reserve upon which members of the public are admitted for the purposes of the Rhodesia Railways.
Paths across the railway reserve needed for the passage of persons, animals or vehicles will be listed by District Commissioners as authorised paths and will be signposted accordingly by the Rhodesia Railways; in deciding upon the authorised paths every effort will be made to avoid inconvenience to farmers and others, since it is not the intention unduly to restrict persons who normally cross the railway reserve when going about lawful business.