HC Deb 01 March 1956 vol 549 cc1338-9
1. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the expressed opinion, clerical and lay, in favour of the abolition of capital punishment in Britain and if he will now take steps to abolish it.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Major Gwilym Lloyd-George)

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 23rd February when he announced that the Government had decided to find time for a Second Reading of the Death Penalty (Abolition) Bill.

Mr. Hughes

As Parliament has very recently, on a free vote of the House, called for the abolition of capital punishment, does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not realise that his refusal to implement the expressed view of Parliament amounts not only to a denial of democracy, but to a breach of faith by the Government?

Major Lloyd-George

I would remind the hon. and learned Member that we cannot abolish anything by Resolution of this House, and that we must have legislation.

8. Major Anstruther-Gray

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the terms of the reply which he is sending to warders who have protested to him against the abolition of the death penalty.

Major Lloyd-George

The Prison Officers' Association has drawn my attention to the fact that if capital punishment were abolished a convicted murderer may commit a further murder in prison without materially altering his sentence and have suggested that there should be special legislation to deal with this situation and special provision for the widow and dependants of any officers killed in such circumstances. I am causing the association to be informed that the considerations to which they have drawn my attention were among those which were before the Government when they decided to advise the House that capital punishment must be retained. I have undertaken to bear the association's representations in mind and to consider any specific proposals which the association may care to make for giving effect to their two suggestions.