§ 39. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has sanctioned legislation in 242 Kenya imposing the death penalty for offences against women and children, and differentiating according to the colour or race of the victims or offenders; and whether such punishment can be legally inflicted in any other Dominion or Crown Colony at the. present time?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Amery)I have approved of the Governor of Kenya introducing legislation to make the death penalty permissible, as an alternative to the present penalties of imprisonment or fine, in the case of convictions for rape, but not for attempted offences of this nature. It is not intended that the law shall contain any discrimination in this matter according to the race of the victim or offender. Similar legislation exists in South Africa.