§ 20. Mr. Muff (for Mr. Pritt)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that under the emergency legislation in force in Palestine six young Arabs from the Nablus and Tulkarem regions have been sentenced to death; whether the Supreme Court recommended any of the condemned persons to mercy; what action has been taken by the High Commissioner in the matter; and whether he will recommend to the High Commissioner that, in the interests of the general appeasement in Palestine, these death sentences be commuted?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI am not sure to which particular cases the hon. and learned Member refers, but I am aware that there has been a number of convictions on capital charges arising out of the Palestine disturbances of last year. In two cases petition has been made for special leave to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. As regards the second part of the question I have no information. As regards the third and fourth parts, I have no doubt that the High Commissioner, to whom the prerogative of mercy is delegated, will take all relevant circumstances fully into account in reaching a decision whether or not to exercise clemency in any of these cases.