HC Deb 05 February 1980 vol 978 c167W
Dr. Edmund Marshall

asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements are being made for (a) persons living in protected villages and (b) persons detained without charge in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia to vote at the forthcoming elections.

Mr. Luce

Provision will be made to enable all persons living in protected villages, and unconvicted prisoners, to vote at the forthcoming election.

Dr. Edmund Marshall

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many persons are now detained without charge in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia under (a) the emergency powers regulations and (b) the martial law regulations.

Mr. Luce

No persons are now detained by ministerial orders under the Emergency Powers Regulations. Persons may be held by the police under the Emergency Powers Regulations for a maximum of 30 days without a ministerial order. The number of persons so held fluctuates from day to day. On the last day for which data are available—27 January 1980—the number was 579. The number of persons detained under martial law is now less than 2,000.

Mr. Lee

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the latest estimate of the cost of the pre-independence arrangements for Rhodesia.

Sir Ian Gilmour

The cost is now expected to be about £31 million. This sum has been included in the spring Supplementary Estimates to be presented to Parliament shortly.