§ MR. COURTNEY KENNY (York, W.R., Barnsley)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he can inform the House as to the grounds upon which the sentence of death passed at the late Leeds Assizes upon Dr. Burke for the murder of his daughter has been commuted to one of penal servitude?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)After personal consultation with the learned Judge, and in consideration of the medical testimony which I received after the trial as to the mental condition of the prisoner, I felt it my duty to advise the Crown to exercise the Prerogative of Mercy in this case.