§ 3. Mr. Brockwayasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will authorise the High Commissioner to extend to the Protectorates of Bechuanaland, Basutoland, and Swaziland the provisions of the Homicide Act, 1957.
Commander NobleThe substantive law relating to homicide in the three High Commission Territories is Roman Dutch criminal law. My noble Friend does not consider it appropriate to apply the Homicide Act, 1957, as such, to these Territories; but he is consulting the High Commissioner as to whether any amendment of the law now in force there would be desirable in the light of the provisions of the Act.
§ Mr. BrockwayThe right hon. and gallant Gentleman will know the concern in Basutoland now about certain death sentences. Can these death sentences be postponed until that discussion has taken place about some amendment of the law?
Commander NobleI do not think that I can go quite as far as the hon. Member asks in his supplementary question, but while the provisions of the Territory law are being reviewed, all cases will be looked at in the light of possible amendments.