§ SIR GUYER HUNTER (Hackney, Central)asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether the grant of a free and unconditional pardon to an individual from the Crown for an offence of which, on inquiry, it was found he had been wrongly convicted, re-establishes him in his civil rights?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight)It is not possible fully to answer the Question of the hon. Member owing to the magnitude of the subject to which it refers. Speaking generally, however, the granting of a free and unconditional pardon restores to the individual pardoned his civil rights as far as the future is concerned. As regards the past, it depends upon the time and the circumstances under which the conviction took place, and under which the pardon was granted. If the hon. Member will communicate with me with reference to any special case, I shall be pleased to give him any assistance in my power.