HC Deb 11 February 1948 vol 447 cc77-8W
Dr. Segal

asked the Secretary of State for [...] Colonies for what reasons the following provisions have been included in the Sierra Leone Police Ordinance of 1947, that the police may perform military duties within and without Sierra Leone, that no public meeting or procession may be held without prior licence by the police, and that no police officer may be a member of any political organisation; to what extent it is intended that the police are to be armed; and whether he is aware that this Ordinance has been the cause of considerable uneasiness in Sierra Leone.

Mr. Rees-Williams

The legislation in question has not yet been enacted, but is at present under examination by a Select Committee of the Legislative Council which includes two African unofficial members.

As regards the specific provisions of the Bill referred to, the position is as follows:

(a) The intention is to empower the Governor, if and when necessary, to call on the Police Force to perform military duties in support of His Majesty's Forces. Similar provision is made in the legislation of other Colonies. There is of course no intention whatever to militarise the Police in Sierra Leone.

(b) The licensing of processions is already provided for in the Processions Ordinance, 1935, and similar provision was inserted in the present Bill merely for legislative and administrative convenience. Pro vision with regard to public assemblies was considered desirable to preserve public order and is based on similar legislation in Nigeria.

(c) The provision in the Bill requiring members of the Force to obtain approval before joining political organisations, trade unions or secret societies was intended to ensure that all police officers should be strictly impartial in the execution of their duties. No approval is required in regard to membership of a police federation. It is not proposed that the Police should carry arms in the normal execution of their duties.

I am aware that this Bill, when published, was the subject of some criticism in Freetown; but I am satisfied that the Sierra Leone Government has no desire to take powers in excess of those generally recognised as necessary to preserve law and order, and it would be premature to make any comment on the Bill until the completion of its examination by the Select Committee, which will have a full opportunity of going through it Clause by Clause and considering any criticisms made.