8.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many sentences of under three months duration have been imposed by the native courts of Northern Rhodesia in the year 1958, 1959 and 1960; and under what regulations the right of appeal against such sentences is refused.
To furnish exact figures would call for a survey of over 150,000 criminal cases in the three years in question. In the overwhelming majority of these, however, any sentences of imprisonment imposed were of less than three months. The only limitation on the right of appeal is that contained in Section 33 of the Native Courts Ordinance, and this is about to be abolished.
Is the Secretary of State aware that there is great anxiety, particularly in the present explosive situation, about the enormous number of people who are now receiving sentences of less than three months for the most trivial offences—even to the point of being sentenced for holding indoor and outdoor meetings? In view of this explosive situation, will the right hon. Gentleman do something to temper the position in the Province?
I think that the point made in the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is dealt with in my main Answer. The new Native Courts Ordinance now has the Royal Assent and I hope that it will come into effect next month.