HC Deb 27 February 1958 vol 583 c62W
93. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Superintendent at the port of Pepel in Sierra Leone refuses to allow officers and crews of British ships calling there to go ashore temporarily, purporting to do this under Government regulation, and that this disallowance operates as a hardship on officers and crews and is an interference with the authority of the ships' captains; under what regulation this power is exercised; and if he will take immediate steps to withdraw the powers so as to ensure that the captains remain masters of their ships.

Mr. Profumo

For reasons of health and for the speedy turn-round of shipping, it has been the practice to withhold permission to land at Pepel. This power is exercised under Section 4 of the Marampa Railway & Harbour Works Construction Ordinance, and Section 69 of the Sierra Leone Customs Ordinance. The Governor is examining the possibility of easing these restrictions.