HC Deb 11 November 1884 vol 293 cc1457-8
SIR EDWARD WATKIN

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, considering recent discussions in which suspicions have arisen that innocent persons have been sentenced to death and to long terms of servitude, Her Majesty's Government are prepared, in the pend- ing Session, to introduce a measure providing for appeal in cases of sentences of death and of penal servitude for long periods?

MR. GLADSTONE

In reply to this Question, I have to say that in 1883 Her Majesty's Government made proposals upon this subject, and a Bill was submitted to the Grand Committee and passed by that Committee; but, owing to the opposition which was manifested on the other side of the House—I do not know whether it was confined to that side of the House—the Bill was not prosecuted during that Session. The Government have not since then arrived at any new decision on the subject; but it will be their duty to consider the matter before the time comes round for arranging the annual Business.

MR. WARTON

asked the right hon. Gentleman, whether the reason why the Bill he had referred to could not be brought before the House was because it was linked by the Attorney General to a large measure for the codification of the Criminal Law?

MR. GLADSTONE

I must refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the Attorney General for an answer to that Question.