58. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations what result has been achieved by the High Commissioner in South Africa in his representations to secure the release from prison of Miss Hannah Stanton, a British subject, warden of the
64WRiding fire brigade and the number serving on 31st March, 1960:
Tumelong Anglican Mission at Lady Selborne, Pretoria.
§ Mr. AlportThe High Commissioner has reported that his representative had a private interview with Miss Stanton on 5th April in Pretoria Central Prison.
Miss Stanton is in good health, is being well treated, and is allowed to wear her own clothes. She has received some books from Tumelong Mission, and, subject to the normal regulations, she will be allowed others. She will similarly be allowed to have certain of her personal effects and additional food if she requires it.
Miss Stanton has not so far been permitted to see her lawyer, but my noble Friend has instructed the High Commissioner to approach the Union authorities with a request that she should be allowed to do so, together with requests for certain other facilities, which it is hoped will be of assistance to her.
The High Commissioner has also been asked to obtain urgently from the Union authorities information regarding the nature of the charges on which Miss Stanton is detained.