§ Sir A. WILSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any and, if so, what is the statutory authority for the protectorate court in Somaliland, established under the Somaliland Orders in Council 1929, to refuse to persons accused of criminal offences, who 2179W might on conviction be sentenced to death, leave to be heard by Counsel; and whether such refusal was in fact notified recently in the case of four men now under sentence of death?
Mr. THOMASAlthough there is no statutory authority providing that accused persons should not be defended by Counsel, in practice Counsel are not permitted to appear in any court in Somaliland. I am, however, reviewing this question in consultation with the Governor.