HC Deb 20 July 1955 vol 544 cc366-7
23. Mr. J. Dugdale

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what right of appeal is possessed by persons convicted of murder after trial in a Northern Rhodesian provincial court.

Mr. Hopkinson

Persons convicted of murder in a subordinate court have the right to appeal to the High Court, by which the sentence must in any case be confirmed. If that appeal fails, or if, without an appeal, a capital sentence is confirmed by the High Court, an appeal lies to the Federal Supreme Court.

Mr. Dugdale

Will the right hon. Gentleman guarantee that if a European in Northern Rhodesia should beat an African to death he will not be able to appeal and get his sentence reduced to one of culpable homicide with one year's imprisonment, as was done, to the eternal disgrace of the British Commonwealth, in Southern Rhodesia?

Mr. Hopkinson

I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is discussing some action on the part of the Federal Supreme Court. I am quite unable to go into it here. It is a matter within its competence. I am entirely satisfied of the integrity, efficiency and ability of the members of the Federal Supreme Court.