HC Deb 17 March 1913 vol 50 c726W
Mr. GREENWOOD

also asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the year 1911 the number of executions following death sentences amounted in Cyprus to one in every 45,000 of the population, in Trinidad to one in 36,000, and in Fiji to one in 23,000; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the circumstances which have led to so frequent an infliction of the death penalty in these places?

Mr. HARCOURT

The answer is in the affirmative. In regard to Fiji I have already addressed the Governor on the subject of the frequency of death sentences. The high percentage in Cyprus for 1911 is well in excess of the average, and it must be obvious to the hon. Member that in dealing with a small population a difference of one in the number of executions will seriously alter the percentage. The figures for Trinidad for 1912 show an improvement, as they are approximately one in 47,000. No special inquiry appears to be called for.