HC Deb 22 July 1913 vol 55 cc1848-9
48. Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the recent judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council quashing the conviction of Vaithanatha Pillai for murder, from which it appears that the expenses involved in the appeal are to be borne by the man who had been unjustly convicted; and whether, in the circumstances, seeing that the man has passed months of his life under the shadow of the gallows, he will consider the possibility of the costs being borne by the Crown?

The PRIME MINISTER

It is not the practice of the Courts to make an order for costs against the Crown in such cases, but if the Crown thinks proper to pay the costs ex gratia, or any part of them, it is free to do so. I will request my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for India to consider the point in council. But I cannot pledge the Secretary of State in advance, since he is vested by law with the final control of Indian revenues.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Is the right Lon. Gentleman aware that this unfortunate man paid 5,000 rupees alone for the telegram to be sent to the India Office to have his sentence reviewed while the India Office were considering it, and more-over, that the Government of Madras instructed counsel to prevent his appeal to the Privy Council, and in these circumstances will every consideration be given.

The PRIME MINISTER

I have said so.