§ 44. Mr. Elwyn Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in how many cases since the end of hostilities death sentences imposed by British Control Commission courts in Germany have been carried out by the use of the guillotine; how many of such beheadings have taken place since the German authorities abolished the death penalty, what protests he has received from the German authorities against the revival of the use of the guillotine; and what steps are proposed to abolish its use.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Mayhew)Eighty-seven death sentences imposed by Control Commission courts were carried out by guillotining in the period before the German authorities abolished the death penalty. No guillotinings have taken place since them. No protests against the use of the guillotine have been received. Its use has now been discontinued.
§ Mr. Elwyn JonesWill my hon. Friend see that the widest publicity is given to his announcement in Germany because, certainly up to a fortnight ago, the legal authorities of Hamburg were not aware of this decision to abolish the use of the guillotine and were, indeed, somewhat perturbed at the prospect of once more having to haul it out of the local museum to carry out a pending execution?
§ Mr. MayhewI am not aware of that, but I hope my answer will make it clear.