§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that 453 natives of Nigeria have been tried and executed during the years 1920–24 without, in any single instance, being allowed to employ counsel in defence in the Courts, he will consult the Government of Nigeria, as to the advisability of restoring to the people of that Colony the right to employ such legal assistance in defence when charged with a capital offence?
§ Mr. AMERYI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies returned by the late Secretary of State for the Colonies on 31st March and 14th April, 1924, on this subject. The whole question was fully considered in 1924 in consultation with the Nigerian Government, and it was decided by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Derby (Mr. J. H. Thomas) that the rule that counsel should not be allowed to appear in the Provincial Courts of the Protectorate should be maintained. I see no reason to reopen the question.