§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSONTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the procedure 1268 preliminary and incidental to trial in the recently constituted Criminal Courts of Assize in Egypt, which consist of three judges from whose decision there is no appeal save on points of Law, though thus far satisfactory on the score of expedition, does not afford sufficient safeguard against a miscarriage of justice; and, seeing that the marked tendency of European public opinion is in favour of granting an appeal upon the facts in all serious criminal cases, will he advise the Egyptian Government to restore the right of appeal, such appeal to involve in every case a rehearing.
§ (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) The matter is primarily one for the decision of the Egyptian Government in the first instance, and the new system appears to be working satisfactorily. It would also probably be desirable to settle the question of criminal appeals at home, which has given rise to some controversy, before giving advice elsewhere.