§ 37. Sir WILLIAM BYLESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state what number of the 56 persons sentenced to death in Northern Nigeria during 1911 were tried before the chief justice; what were the tribunals at which the others were sentenced; and how many of them were defended by counsel?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)The answer to the first and last questions is none. Of the fifty-six persons sentenced to death in Northern Nigeria in 1911, forty were tried before provincial Courts and sixteen 188 before native Courts. No death sentence was carried out until confirmed by the Governor, who in practice consulted the Chief Justice or Attorney-General.
§ Sir W. BYLESDoes my right hon. Friend consider that these prisoners get as fair a trial there as here?
§ Mr. HARCOURTOh, I think so.