§ 128. Mr. Brockwayasked the Minister of Labour what reply has been sent to the communications from the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation drawing the attention of the United Kingdom Government to the undesirability of having resort to a general Press censorship in connection with an industrial dispute and to the fact that it may be desirable that certain of the restrictions in the legislation governing the compulsory registration of trade unions should be reconsidered at an appropriate time.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI assume the hon. Member has in mind the conclusions of the Governing Body on certain allegations by the Miners' Trade Unions International against the Government of Northern Rhodesia. No reply was specifically requested or called for on the two conclusions in question; but as regards the reference to Press censorship the British Government representative on the Governing Body of the I.L.O. pointed out that the situation in Northern Rhodesia at the time in question had gone far beyond an industrial dispute and that the censorship, which had been applied to prevent the circulation of alarmist rumours, had in fact lasted for only a few days. The Governing Body's conclusions have been communicated to the Governor of Northern Rhodesia.