§ MR. W. H. JAMES (Gateshead)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he has directed, or proposes to direct, an inquiry to take place into the mental condition of Thomas Thompson, now lying under sentence of death in Durham Gaol, for the murder of his child at Gateshead on the 16th instant?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.), in reply, said, he had directed all such inquiries to be made as were necessary and proper to enable him to advise Her Majesty as to the exercise of her prerogative of mercy; but he could not enter into any detailed statement as to a criminal case still under consideration.