HC Deb 05 June 1896 vol 41 c511
MR. HORATIO DAVIES (Chatham)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether, in order to prevent the possibility of a mishap at the execution of the three men now under sentence of death at Newgate, he will instruct the Sheriffs of the counties of London and Middlesex that each culprit should be executed separately, say at 8 a.m., 9.30, and 11 o'clock respectively?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, Blackpool

The general regulations made by one of my predecessors under the Capital Punishment Amendment Act, 1868, among other things, recommend that for the sake of uniformity executions should take place at 8 a.m.; but the matter is left entirely within the discretion of the Sheriff, and I have no power to interfere in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.

MR. H. DAVIES

Will the right hon. Gentleman advise the Sheriffs on the subject?

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

No, Sir; I have no reason to doubt the discretion of the Sheriffs in the discharge of their public duties.