§ Mr. Elwyn Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the relatives of all detainees and prisoners in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland have been notified of their present whereabouts.
§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd;pursuant to his reply[OFFICIAL REPORT 19th March, 1959; Vol. 602, c. 60], supplied the following further information
The detainees have the right to send and to receive letters and, in many cases, therefore, will themselves have made known to their relatives how they can communicate with them. The Governments of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland have also taken certain steps.
In Nyasaland broadcast announcements have been made over the radio and in the vernacular Press informing relatives of the addresses through which they can communicate with the detainees and the information is being repeated in the Information Department's free news-sheets which have a very wide distribution. Postcards ready printed with the advice are being distributed to all detention centres for despatch to relatives. In addition, by the end of March the Government Welfare Organisation had made personal contact with 130 of the families.
In regard to persons of Northern Rhodesian origin detained in Southern Rhodesia, I am informed that many of these have lived in Southern Rhodesia for many years with their families and have largely severed their personal connections with Northern Rhodesia. But all available particulars are being notified to the Native Authorities in Northern Rhodesia with advice about how letters should be addressed to the detainees.
My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations informed me that he has heard from the Government of Southern Rhodesia that, in fact, all the detainees from Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland who were detained under the Southern Rhodesia Emergency Regulations have families living in Southern Rhodesia and that these all know the whereabouts of the detainees.