HL Deb 09 May 1956 vol 197 cc272-4

2.38 p.m.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can make any statement concerning the death sentences, now confirmed, of two Cypriots.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)

My Lords, Michael Karaolides was sentenced to death in October, 1955, for the cold-blooded murder in August, 1955, of a Cypriot policeman who was on duty in the main street of Nicosia. His appeal was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Cyprus and by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Andreas Demetriou was convicted under Section 52 of the Cyprus Emergency Regulations of unlawfully discharging a firearm in November, 1955, at Sidney Taylor, who was severely wounded, and of carrying without lawful authority a firearm and ammunition; both of which charges carry the death penalty. His appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court of Cyprus and he did not appeal to the Privy Council. The Governor after consulting his Executive Council has decided that the law should take its course in both cases.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether there is any further appeal from this sentence? That is the first question. My second question is whether, in the case of the first-named murderer, he was tried under the ordinary law and not under the Emergency Regulations.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, I understand that there is no further appeal in regard to the first case, and I take it that in the second case presumably, as there were Emergency Regulations in operation, the individual was tried under the Emergency Regulations.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

I am afraid the noble Earl is ill-informed. According to The Times, the man was tried under the ordinary law before the Emergency Regulations came into force. If that is so, which I believe to be the case, I want to ask the noble Earl this further question: Is it a fact that if this man had committed this murder in this country at the present rime, he would not have been hanged?

LORD SALTOUN

Before the noble Earl replies, may I ask him whether Her Majesty's Government consider it a fair use of a political position—I do not, of course, refer at all to the noble Viscount's Question—to use it to put pressure on a servant of the Crown engaged in a very difficult and responsible task?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

May I make it quite clear that, in the case of the second man, he was, in fact, charged under the Emergency Regulations.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

I know that.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

As regards the first man, if he had been sentenced to death in this country, unless the prerogative of mercy came into play, the law would naturally take its course.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

Yes; but is it not a fact that, in view of the present political and legal situation, nobody is being hanged until the question has been settled whether we approve of capital punishment? Therefore, if this murder had been committed in this country, this man would not have been hanged in the present circumstances. May I have an answer to that question?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

I am not sure that that is the case at all. If the noble Viscount will read the remarks of the Home Secretary in another place, he will see that he is taking that matter into consideration. But it is not yet the law of the land.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

I am aware that it is not vet the law of the land, but may I ask this question? Has anybody been hanged since the "Silverman Bill" was introduced? And may I ask this final question? Are the Government satisfied that the Governor's policy in Cyprus will bring peace to the island?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

The Question which the noble Viscount addressed to the Government was one of great seriousness.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

Yes.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

The other question which he has just asked has nothing to do with the one on the Order Paper.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

At any rate, may I ask the Government whether they are aware that it is the duty of any individual in this House, if he observes a grave emergency, to put a Question to the Government? This was not at all a flippant question. Many people think that a grave and disastrous situation is developing in the Island of Cyprus.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, again that has nothing whatever to do with the Question which the noble Viscount addressed to the House.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

Of course it has—hanging people.