HC Deb 01 May 1953 vol 514 cc127-8W
Mrs. White

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the terms of Section 3 of the Penal Code Bill recently passed by the Nyasaland Legislative Council; and what reply has been made to the cable sent by Chief Mwase and others asking that this section should be disallowed.

Mr. Lyttelron

As Section 3 of the Penal Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 1953, is rather long, and as it needs to be read in conjunction with Section 175 of the Principal Ordinance, I am arranging for copies of the relevant Sections to be placed in the Library of the House.

I have asked the Governor to reply on my behalf to the senders of the telegram that I have considered their representations but am satisfied that the provisions of Section 3 are aimed solely to protect the public from subscribing unwittingly for unlawful purposes or to collectors whose bona fides is in doubt; that it will in no way obstruct the raising of funds for any genuine cause; that it is in no way discriminatory, as it will apply to Africans, Asians and Europeans alike and that I have no intention of advising Her Majesty that the power of disallowance should be exercised in respect of this Ordinance.