Dean of Johannesburg

HC Deb 29 January 1971 vol 810 cc218-9W

Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reply he has received from the South African Government to his representations on behalf of the Dean of Johannesburg; what news he has of the Dean's welfare and the nature of the charges against him; and whether the Dean has now been allowed to see a legal adviser.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

On 23rd January the British Ambassador in Cape Town made representations about the Dean to the South African Department of Foreign Affairs. The Dean was visited by our Consul twice during his detention in prison.

The Dean appeared in a Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg on 28th January where he was charged under Section II of the Suppression of Communism Act with assisting banned organisations by receiving, safeguarding and distributing certain pamphlets which the police claimed to have found in his possession. There was an alternative charge of possession only. The Dean was released on bail. He was represented in Court by a legal adviser.