HC Deb 11 February 1958 vol 582 cc25-6W
59. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Governor of Northern Rhodesia has been advised to certify the Bill introduced in the Legislative Council giving the police further powers to control processions and public meetings; and on what grounds this legislation has been introduced.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Police (Amendment) Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council on 19th November, 1957, and assented to by the Governor on 19th January this year; he will shortly be submitting it to me in the normal way for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. The Governor was not constitutionally required to "certify" this Ordinance. The object of the Ordinance is to extend the use of power to control processions and assemblies, already given in the principal Ordinance, to public places in the open air as well as public streets, and to define new authorities who may permit processions and assemblies to take place.