§ 33. Sir A. WILSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many sentences of death have been passed in British Somaliland during the past 10 years; and in how many cases these have been reversed or commuted on appeal?
Mr. J. H. THOMASI regret that such information is not available, but I will ask the Governor to send a report.
§ 34. Sir A. WILSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what, if any, legal qualifications are possessed by judges in British Somaliland who have power, respectively, to pass and to hear appeals against death sentences on defendants who are not permitted to be heard by counsel?
Mr. THOMASNo court in British Somaliland is at present constituted by officers with legal qualifications; but I have the question of judicial arrangements in the Protectorate under review.
§ Sir A. WILSONWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ensure that persons who are British-protected subjects lying under sentence of death are given the same facilities for defence as are proposed for British subjects in foreign territory?
Mr. THOMASThe hon. and gallant Member knows that in the particular case under review, immediately my attention was called to the question, I took the necessary steps to ensure that that should be done. That is why I said in my answer that I have in mind the whole question.