§ 59. Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which British Colonial Territories there is censorship in the printing and distribution of publications; and if he will take steps to end such censorship in those territories for which he has responsibility.
§ Mr. GreenwoodIf by "censorship" my hon. Friend means scrutiny before publication, there is no such censorship in British Colonial Territories. But most of them naturally have powers to prevent the introduction or dissemination of publications that are contrary to public morality, public safety or law and order. The exercise of these functions is in the discretion of the Governments concerned and I should not think it right to intervene unless there were special circumstances that would justify such a step in any particular case. I am, however, anxious that restrictions of this kind should be as few as possible and I am circulating this question and answer to all Colonial Territories.