21. Mr. VYVYAN ADAMSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to secure the establishment of a Court of Criminal Appeal for Ceylon in order to provide for His Majesty's subjects in Ceylon safeguards against the miscarriage of justice, especially in capital charges, similar to the safeguards provided in Great Britain?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Supreme Court in Ceylon sits as a Court of Criminal Appeal and reviews decisions in criminal cases. The attention of the Governor of Ceylon has already been drawn to the desirability of establishing a system on the lines of the Criminal Appeal Act, 1907, but I have not yet been informed whether he has found it possible to take any action in the matter. It will be appreciated that under the Ceylon Constitution, the consent of the Ministers and of the State Council to the necessary legislation would be required before such a system of appeal could be set up.