§ 5. Sir ROBERT NEWMANasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that a child, six years of age, was permitted recently to be taken to Strangeways Prison, Manchester, to see his mother on 2232 the eve of her execution; and why, as this is the second execution of a woman in England during the last three years after 15 years without such executions, he has departed from the previous practice of the Home Office in this respect?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. There has been no departure from the Home Office practice in this matter.
§ Sir R. NEWMANCan the right hon. Gentleman give any reason why, for 15 or 20 years, no such execution has taken place, and now there have been two during the last three years? Were these crimes fewer during that 15 years than they are now?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThere has only been one such case since I have been Home Secretary, and it is a very disagreeable duty to have to deal with these cases. There has only been one case of a woman in which I thought it absolutely essential that the law should take its course, and that is the only one since I have been Home Secretary.
§ Mr. PALINGIs it the case that there has been a greater disposition not to grant reprieves since the present Home Secretary has been in office?
§ Mr. SPEAKERQuestions with regard to advice given to the Crown are not permissible.