§ Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds Mr. Pinto, a Goan by birth, has been 162W arrested in Kenya; when it is proposed to place him on trial; where he is interned; if he has access to his lawyer; what papers or property have been seized; for what period his correspondence has been supervised; and his present nationality.
§ Mr. LytteltonMr. Pinto, was detained on 19th June under the provision in the Kenya Emergency Regulations which authorises such action for the purpose of maintaining public order. No decision has yet been taken about bringing him to trial. He is detained in Nairobi prison. He has access to his lawyers, and has exercised his right to appeal against detention to the Advisory Committee on Detainees. No papers or property of his have been seized.
Persons in detention are permitted to send out one, or by special permission two, letters a month. Mr. Pinto was born in Kenya in 1927, and I have no information to suggest that his present nationality is other than British.
§ Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the appeals committee for detained persons in Kenya was set up; of whom it is composed: how many appeals have been heard; how many have been successful; how many appeals are pending; and how many persons are at present detained.
§ Mr. LytteltonThere are two advisory committees. One was appointed in March, 1953, and the other only recently. Each consists of a chairman who holds or has held judicial office or is qualified to be appointed a judge of the Kenya Supreme Court, and a retired Administrative Officer.
The first committee has heard 550 petitions, and has 104 pending. It has recommended suspension of detention orders in nine cases immediately, and in 40 more as soon as the situation improves. The Governor has approved every recommendation of the Committee.
At 19th June, detention orders numbered 7,111, most of which had been made in recent months.