§ 116. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what emergency regulations have recently been issued in Cyprus regarding offences liable to the death penalty, limitation of freedom of expression in the Press, and immunity for any member of the armed forces, police or Government from prosecution for offences alleged to have been committed whilst in performance of duties, except with the permission of the Attorney-General.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydCopies of regulations issued under Gazette Notifications Nos. 1144 to 1146 dealing with these matters have been placed in the Library of the House.
§ 122. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will briefly summarise the new emergency regulations governing the censorship of the Press in Cyprus; and if he will place copies of the regulations in the Library.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe new regulations empower the Governor by Order to prohibit the sale and circulation of any 137W publication if, by reason of matter contained in it, its sale and circulation would prejudice the successful prosecution of measures taken to end the emergency, or if the publication contains incitement to violence or matter likely to promote hostility between different sections of the population. There is provision for appeal to a new Advisory Committee, under judicial chairmanship. Copies of the regulations have been placed in the Library.
§ 128. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the new regulations provide that no police officer, member of the armed forces or public officer may be prosecuted in any Cyprus court in respect of any offence alleged to have been committed by such person while acting in the course of his duties.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe hon. Member is mistaken. The new regulations provide that such prosecutions may be instituted only with the leave of the Attorney-General of Cyprus. The purpose is to prevent malicious and vexatious prosecutions against members of the Security Forces.
§ 131. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what protest he has received from the editors of English language newspapers in Cyprus; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have received a telegram from the editors of the two English language newspapers in Cyprus protesting against the Emergency Regulations made by the Governor on 23rd November relating to the control of publications. I have asked the Deputy Governor to reply by drawing attention to the answer given in another place by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 28th November.