Special Branch

Oral Answers to Questions — Uganda – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 1 August 1957.

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Photo of Mr John Stonehouse Mr John Stonehouse , Wednesbury 12:00, 1 August 1957

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the purpose of the Special Branch in Uganda, the number of its personnel, and the annual expenditure by the Uganda Government on it.

Photo of Mr Alan Lennox-Boyd Mr Alan Lennox-Boyd , Mid Bedfordshire

Special Branch is the branch of the Police Force charged with investigation of matters which may affect law and order and the security of the Protectorate. It is not the practice to disclose the size or expenditure of such branches.

Photo of Mr John Stonehouse Mr John Stonehouse , Wednesbury

Is the Colonial Secretary aware that the activities of this Branch have become very near to a complete farce? In view of the improvement in the political situation in Uganda and the need to increase expenditure on some of the other departments in Uganda, has not the time arrived for a review to be made of this expenditure?

Photo of Mr Alan Lennox-Boyd Mr Alan Lennox-Boyd , Mid Bedfordshire

I could not accept the charges of the hon. Member. I am sure that the Governor and the Protectorate Government, whose responsibility this is, will notice his suggestion for alternative use of this money, but I cannot accept it myself.