§ 4. Captain Fieldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will abolish the practice of multiple executions.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)In England and Wales arrangements for judicial execution are the responsibility of the sheriff, who sometimes arranges for two, though not more, executions to be carried out simultaneously. On the information at present available I see no reason to suggest any change, though the matter will be reviewed in the light of any comments that the Royal Commission on Capital Punishment may see fit to make.
§ Captain FieldDoes my right hon. Friend realise that some delay, however slight, must occur when the first person is brought to the scaffold, and that this is very undesirable? In view of the public disquiet on this matter, will my right hon. Friend have a look at the practice again?
§ Mr. EdeI have very carefully examined it, and I understand that the arrangements are such that there is not the delay that my hon. and gallant Friend has suggested.