HC Deb 12 February 1959 vol 599 cc227-8W
Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Captain Ernest Law was not informed of the magistrate's order against him under the Vagrancy Ordinance made on 18th January when he was detained in the convicts' compound of Kamiti Prison.

Mr. J. Amery

Captain Law was in court when the Magistrate made his order.

Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which visiting magistrates saw Captain Law during his detention in Kamiti Prison from January to June 1958; and what action they advised in relation to his case.

Mr. J. Amery

Visiting Justices normally see a prisoner or detainee only at his request. There is no record that Captain Law made such an application while at Kamiti Prison.

Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why no payment was made to Captain Law for his work in the transport section of Kamiti Prison during his detention from January to June 1958.

Mr. J. Amery

Only "trusty" prisoners appointed under Part VIII of the Prison Rules, 1949, receive payment for work done in a prison. Captain Law was not in this category.

Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he took when he received a letter from Captain Ernest Law, dated 2nd June, 1958, which was smuggled out of Kamiti Prison, Nairobi, where Captain Law was detained without trial; and why orders were given for Captain Ernest Law to be repatriated to the United Kingdom by air on 16th June, 1958, only three days after Captain Law had received vaccination against smallpox and yellow fever, by official instructions, and in contravention of the rules of the International Certificates of Vaccination, which require eight and 10 days, respectively, before validity.

Mr. J. Amery

My right hon. Friend received the letter in question on the 10th June. 1958, and on the 16th June he sent a copy to the Governor asking for a report. I am consulting the Governor on the second part of the Question, and will circulate a further reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what evidence of vagrancy was considered by the magistrate in the case of Captain Law in Nairobi on 18th January, 1958.

Mr. J. Amery

When Captain Law was taken before the magistrate on the 18th January, 1958, he admitted that he had no money and no work. No doubt this admission was taken into account by the magistrate in reaching his finding.

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