§ 59. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether reasons for the reprieve of death sentences are ever published; and whether any statement has been made, or can be made, as to the reprieve of Corporal Dearnley, of Hull, after the petitioners for his reprieve on special grounds had been told that no reprieve could be considered?
Mr. DAVIESIt is not the practice to publish the reasons for the reprieve of prisoners tinder sentence of death, and in many cases it would be impossible to do so. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Right Hon. Edward Shortt, when filling the office of Home Secretary, did give reasons on one occasion for the advice given to the Crown. That was in the case of True. Would it not be possible in this case to give some reason for the advice given by the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODBefore the Under-Secretary replies, I should like to ask if it is not the case that, before you can be Home Secretary, you must be in favour of capital punishment?