MR. GORST (for Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government are taking any steps to remedy the Criminal Procedure in Egypt, under which an accused 951 man is not allowed to bring witnesses for the defence before the Court, nor even to appear himself; and if, in the meantime, any measures are being taken to ensure fair trials throughout Egypt pending the institution of the New Law Courts?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, the procedure adopted in Egypt in criminal cases is that of the French Code; and I have already pointed out that this Code does not prevent the prisoner bringing witnesses for his defence before the Court, or appearing himself at the trial. The laws, however, relating to criminal procedure in the Native Courts of Egypt are undergoing revision at the present time; and the services of Sir Benson Maxwell have been engaged by the Egyptian Government to assist them in this task.
MR. GORSTasked if the noble Lord meant it to be understood that the political prisoners now to be tried would be tried under the law of the French Code?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEsaid, that they would have the fullest power to call witnesses at the trial. The objections made the other day only applied to what was known as the "instruction," as distinct from the trial itself.
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONasked the noble Lord whether Mr. Mark Napier had not complained that prisoners would not be allowed to call witnesses?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEsaid, that he did not think that Mr. Mark Napier's statement was so carefully written as it might be, if he might say so of a man of known ability. He did not think that Mr. Napier intended to imply that the prisoners would be prevented from calling witnesses at the trial.