HC Deb 22 July 1907 vol 178 cc1140-1
MR. SLOAN

To ask the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, in the event of the Governor of St. Helena acting illegally, the person or persons injured have no opportunity of obtaining an appeal unless able to deposit a large sum of money, before such appeal will be allowed; and whether, in view of this fact, he will consider the advisability of reducing the amount of deposit in order that the poorer classes may have the protection of the higher court.

(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The fee to he paid on petition from this Supreme Court of St. Helena to the Privy Council is £5, which cannot be considered prohibitive in the case of persons able to afford the other expenses of such an appeal. The Supreme Court is empowered to require security to be given for costs, etc., before an appeal is allowed, and the Secretary of State does not think it would be wise to dispense with this.