Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies what persons have been detained without trial, under any special or emergency powers enjoyed by local governors or governments in the Colonial dependencies since 1st August, 1939; who are detained as aliens; whether in all cases regulations conform with those most recently approved by the British Parliament; whether all persons have been given the right of appeal; and if all have been informed of the detailed reasons for their detention?
§ Mr. George HallAs regards the first two parts of the Question, the collection of the information asked for in respect of about 40 Colonial administrations would1384W involve considerable research and require communication with the Governors of each administration, and in present circumstances my Noble Friend would not feel justified in incurring the expenditure of time and labour involved in such inquiries. But if my hon. Friend will specify any particular territory or territories for which he desires this information, my Noble Friend will consider whether the information can be supplied. As regards the remainder of the Question, my Noble Friend is anxious that the regulations in respect of detention should in general be on the same lines as those in operation in the United Kingdom. In certain Colonies, however, special powers are necessary, for example in fortress Colonies such as Gibraltar. In all cases in which persons are detained under Colonial Defence Regulations equivalent to United Kingdom Regulation 18B, they may make an objection to an Advisory Committee constituted in accordance with the regulation.