HC Deb 26 June 1924 vol 175 cc567-8
24. Mr. COMPTON

asked the Home Secretary whether there exists any Court of Appeal for the inmates of the criminal asylum at Broadmoor similar to the Court of Criminal Appeal provided for prisoners; and, if not, will this question be included in the terms of reference for the Royal Commission on Lunacy?

Mr. HENDERSON

No, Sir. A verdict of guilty but insane is technically a verdict of acquittal from which no appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal can lie. The proper authority to consider representations with respect to such a case is the Home Secretary. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. Questions of criminal responsibility are, I understand, outside the scope of the Royal Commission on Lunacy.

Mr. MILLS

Would it be possible for the Home Secretary to take one representative case, such as the person named True, and examine whether or not this man is in a fit condition to be tried for his crime, in view of the newspaper statement as to his activities recently?

Mr. HENDERSON

I think it is very important that I should have notice of such a question as that.