§ Mrs. Middletonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken in respect of the expiration of emergency powers under wartime defence regulations in the Colonies; and whether emergency regulations are now being reviewed and repealed.
Mr. Creech JonesThe general body of the Emergency Powers under wartime Defence Regulations expired in Colonial territories, as in the United Kingdom, on the expiry of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act on the 24th of February, 1946. A certain number of regulations similar in purpose to regulations retained in the United Kingdom under the Supplies and Services (Transitional Powers) Act and the Emergency Laws (Transitional Provisions) Act or to United Kingdom Acts passed during the war, have been retained under Orders-in-Council made under these Acts.
In July this year instructions were sent to all Colonial Governments that all such legislation should be kept under regular and careful review and that regulations should be revoked as soon as they ceased to be essential for the special purpose for which they were retained. From reports that have been received I am satisfied that this is being done.