LORD HENRY LENNOXinquired of Sir George Grey, whether his attention had been directed to the circumstances which are alleged to have occurred at the execution of T. Bousfield on Monday last; and, if so, whether he would undertake to institute an immediate inquiry into the case?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, he had seen with great regret, in the morning papers that day, the statement to which the noble Lord referred, and immediately on reading it had directed a communication to be made to the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, the persons upon whom the law imposed the duty of carrying the sentence of death into effect, calling upon them to make a report of the whole circumstances of the case. He had not received that report; and indeed he could hardly have done so, as there had not been time enough to prepare it.
§ MR. BIGGSinquired whether there was any intention on the part of the Government to substitute private executions within the walls of the prison, as was the practice in the United States, for the present mode of executing criminals in public?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYreplied that Government had no such intention.