§ 24. Sir HARRY BRITTAINasked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to consider the suggestion that after conviction for murder the date of the subsequent execution should not be announced beforehand?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, Sir. Legislation would be necessary, and I do not think the suggested change is desirable.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that a change of 1594 this kind might do much to prevent many entirely unfounded statements being written?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI should be glad to do anything I could to remedy what I think is a scandal in regard to this matter, but my hon. Friend will see that the families of the condemned man must have reasonable information as to the date of execution, and that information will pass into the possession of several other people. I think if I were to attempt to stop information or announcements from reaching the public, it would only involve attempts to obtain it from irregular sources.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINDoes not that occur in many other countries?
The following question stood on the Order Paper in the name of Captain T. J. O'CONNOR:26. To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to an article in a newspaper, dated Sunday, 28th February, relating to a condemned prisoner, containing, among other matters, extracts from a letter said to have been written by the prisoner's father and posted in France, and delivered on Friday, the 26th ultimo, and an account of a conversation between the prisoner and the governor of the gaol which is alleged to have taken place on Saturday, the 27th ultimo, and other' statements by the condemned man on the same day; and whether he will inquire if this information reached the newspaper through the officials of the gaol and take such action as may appear necessary?
Captain O'CONNOROn a point of Order. The question which appears on the Paper is entirely different from the question which I put down, and it has been altered without any communication with me. The question on the Paper does not ask for the very material information which I wanted, namely, whether these statements are true or not.
Mr. SPEAKERI am afraid hon. Members often submit questions which are not in order, and assistance is required to put them in order. Notice is always sent to the hon. Member. If he wishes to withdraw the question now and put it again in another way, he can do so.
Captain O'CONNORAs that is the explanation, Sir, may I indicate the nature of the question which I desired to put?
Mr. SPEAKERIf there be any irregularity in the question, I cannot allow it to be put now. Does the hon. and gallant Member wish to put the question which is on the Paper?
Captain O'CONNORI should like to put this question, and reserve my right to put the other question on another occasion.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have not seen the newspaper article referred to, but I am informed by the Governor of the Prison that the account of an alleged conversation between him and the prisoner is a pure invention. No information of any kind was communicated to the newspaper by the officials of the prison. The House will allow me to add that the statement which appeared in the Press on Monday, that I had seen somebody connected with the recent case, is also a pure invention.
Captain O'CONNORDoes not that emphasise my point that it was necessary to include the name of the paper in the question and that its omission makes the question pure nonsense? Is it not also the case that the imputation which is suggested in the last part of the question against officials of the gaol, would not have been made if the question which I put down could have been asked, namely whether these statements were true or not?
§ Colonel GRETTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider whether any action can be taken to prevent these untrue and scandalous reports being published in regard to executions of prisoners?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have consulted my legal advisers in regard to statements in the newspapers concerning recent executions. At present, as the law stands, I have no means of prosecuting or of otherwise dealing with these statements.
§ Colonel GRETTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider whether he can recommend an amendment of the law to the House?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI will consider what it would involve.
Captain O'CONNORIn view of the fact that this article contains what are supposed to be specific extracts from a letter sent to this condemned man, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these extracts are actual or whether they are pure fabrications?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is quite impossible for me to say. When I say I have not seen the newspaper article, it is quite true that I have not seen it, and therefore I do not know what extracts it contained.