DETAINEES (Interception of letter)

Mr Lee Kuan Yew asked the Chief Secretary whether the Government has intercepted and detained a letter written by Messrs. Devan Nair, Fong Swee Suan, James Puthucheary, S. Woodhull and Chan Chiaw Thor addressed to their solicitor.

Mr S. T. Stewart: Sir, the answer is yes. In fact, there were two such letters written by the five persons named, namely, one written by the five persons named, on 11th September, 1957, which was detained pending the receipt of certain information which they were asked to furnish; and the other written by the same five persons named and by another detainee named Tan Boon Eng, on 9th September, 1957, which was detained because the letter asked for advice on matters which had no legal significance but which were political.

As I said just now, Sir, about political discussions in answer to the previous question, in this latter connection, it is considered that political detainees should not be allowed to indulge in politics while still under detention.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Does the Hon. the Chief Secretary not recognise the fact that they are detained for political reasons and the whole issue is political; and that naturally what they have to communicate with their solicitor must pertain to these political matters?

Mr Speaker: We cannot have a debate.