HC Deb 09 August 1883 vol 282 cc2101-2
MR. JOSEPH COWEN

asked the Secretary of State for the Homo Department, If he has caused any inquiry to be made into the circumstances attending the execution of James Burton at Durham on Monday last?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Yes, Sir; I have asked for an official Report from the local authorities who, as the hon. Member is aware, are responsible for the proper carrying out of executions. I have not received that Report yet; but I have been furnished with a newspaper report of the inquest before the Coroner's Jury. I find that the medical officer who was present stated, in answer to a question from the jury, that what took place was an accident which could scarcely have been foreseen. The jury seem to have found the usual verdict in the case; and, therefore, I presume that they were satisfied with that account of the transaction, as most, if not all, who were present on the occasion seem to have been examined, and gave evidence.

MR. JOSEPH COWEN

said, he wished to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that there had been more than one case of these revolting exhibitions? He (Mr. Joseph Cowen) believed there had been two others within comparatively recent years. He did not ask him to censure the local authorities; but could the right hon. Gentleman not exercise some supervision over the public hangman, so that these barbarous proceedings should not be repeated? Would it not be possible to devise some more scientific mode of dealing with criminals—electricity or poisoning—rather than hanging?

SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOT

said, it appeared from the accounts that the platform was placed on a hole dug in the ground. If that were so, it more than accounted for the accident; and he wished to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman had satisfied himself that there was a proper platform and place for the execution, because, if that were not so, the authorities at Durham were much to blame.

MR. SEXTON

asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman would make an inquiry into a shocking occurrence which recently took place at Galway, in the case of a capital sentence carried out by Marwood? When the body was dropped into the pit, the rope became entangled in the man's arms, and he struggled for some time in the pit. Marwood thrust his leg into the pit, and kicked the rope clear and completed the execution, at the same time saying—"Bother the fellow!" He wished to know whether any report of the personal habits of the public executioner had been made to the Home Office?

MR. HARRINGTON

asked, whether the person referred to by the hon. Member (Mr. Sexton) was not Miles Joyce, who had been unjustly executed by the Irish Government?

MR. SMALL

inquired, whether it was true that, in that case, the authorities refused to produce Marwood as a witness?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

I am sure, Sir, the House will not expect me to give an opinion upon these matters before I have received any official Report with regard to them. I can assure hon. Gentlemen that no one can be more sensible than I am of the shock to public feeling produced by these terrible occurrences, and anything I could do by inquiry, or by taking precautions to prevent such shocking occurrences, would not be wanting. With reference to the Question of the hon. and gallant Baronet opposite (Sir Walter B. Barttelot), I find that the executioner was examined before the Coroner's Jury, and he said— I think it would be better for the future to have two planks laid across the platform, so that two warders can stand, one on each side, and prevent the rope from getting entangled. Therefore, it is to be hoped that these are precautions which may be taken to prevent the recurrence of such shocking events.

MR. JOSEPH COWEN

asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman had any control over the appointment of the public hangman? The Question was important, because it affected the personal character of that officer.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Sir, I have made inquiries, and that matter had better be left until I have received the Report.