§ 16. Mr. ELLIS DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to say what course the Government intend to take with regard to allowing an alleged murderer in Nigeria to have the assistance of a member of the Bar in his defence?
§ 19. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that 453 natives of Nigeria have been tried and executed during the years 1920–24, without in any single instance being allowed to employ counsel in defence in the Courts, he will consult the Government of Nigeria as to the advisability of restoring to the people of that Colony the right to employ such legal assistance in defence when charged with a capital offence?
§ Major HENNESSYMy right hon. Friend would refer the hon. Members to the replies returned by his predecessor, the right hon. -Member for Derby, on 31st March and 14th April, 1924, and to the reply which, on 21st December last, he gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull. As was pointed out on 14th April, 1924, an accused person can apply for his case to be transferred from the Provincial Court to the Supreme Court if he wishes to be represented by counsel at his trial.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that a similar question was put last year to the Colonial Secretary, who admitted that the matter required adjustment; and Is there anything further to report? I should explain that this question was really put down at the request of the Colonial Secretary, who on the previous occasion had not the information, but promised to look into the matter. Is there any further information?
§ Major HENNESSYNo, Sir; I am advised that there is no further information available at the present time.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that if this were mandated territory, instead of a Crown Colony, this sort of thing would be prohibited by the League of Nations?
Captain T. J. O'CONNORIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this is not civilised territory at all and that there is only one white man in an area of over 100 miles; and that all these sentences are sent to the Governor-General at Lagos to be inquired into and in four cases out of five they are reversed?