28. Mr. Vyvyan Adamsasked the Home Secretary what action he proposes to take in light of the Resolution passed by this House on Wednesday, 16th November, in favour of the abolition of the death penalty?
§ Mr. LloydTo give effect to the Resolution in question, legislation would be required, and I explained in the course of the Debate the objections to legislation altering the law on this subject for an experimental period.
Mr. AdamsIf I put down an Amendment to the Criminal justice Bill, will the Home Office leave that matter to a free vote of the House?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreIs my hon. Friend aware that the Resolution in question does not represent the view of the country?
§ Mr. ShinwellIf, in spite of the objections which were stated by the hon. Gentleman on behalf of the Government, the House came to a decision in favour of the proposal, why should not the Government respond to the desire of the House?
§ Mr. RadfordWill the Under-Secretary and the Secretary of State also bear in mind the fact that within the last few days two little girls, aged six and four, have been foully done to death, and that nothing ought to be done that would encourage such fiends?
§ Mr. StephenWill they also bear in mind the fact that the death penalty is in operation at the time when these things have happened?
| Particulars of Appeals to the Court of Criminal Appeal against sentences of Borstal Detention. | |||||||||
| Year | Number of Appeals. | Total number of appeals. | Result. | Appeals abandoned. | |||||
| Against conviction. | Against Sentence. | Against conviction and sentence. | Sentence quashed. | Appelant bound over. | Sentence reduced. | Leave to appeal refused or appeal dismissed. | |||
| 1929 | — | 19 | 2 | 21 | 1 | 1 | — | 18 | 1 |
| 1930 | 3 | 39 | 1 | 43 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 27 | 7 |
| 1931 | — | 47 | 5 | 52 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 30 | 9 |
| 1932 | — | 87 | 8 | 95 | 3 | 15 | 1 | 55 | 21 |
| 1933 | 1 | 35 | 3 | 39 | 1 | 3 | — | 23 | 12 |
| 1934 | — | 35 | 5 | 38 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 10 |
| 1935 | 1 | 49 | 8 | 58 | 4 | 8 | — | 32 | 14 |
| 1936 | 2 | 54 | 12 | 68 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 26 | 31 |
| 1937 | 3 | 77 | 11 | 91 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 39 | 39 |
| Up to Nov. 23rd, 1938 | — | 91 | 11 | 102 | — | 3 | — | 42 | 57 |