HC Deb 17 July 1958 vol 591 cc1423-4
23. Sir T. Moore

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the expression of opinion by three recent women's conferences demanding the restoration of corporal punishment for crimes of violence and capital punishment for all crimes of murder; and whether, in these circumstances, he will now consider giving statutory effect to the prevalent demand for such action.

Mr. Renton

As my hon. Friend was told on 8th May, the number of crimes of murder known to the police in the six months September, 1957–March, 1958, was lower than the number for a comparable period before the passing of the Homicide Act. My right hon. Friend is watching the figures carefully, but they give no ground for thinking that we should amend the Act so recently passed by Parliament. He would not feel justfied in reintroducing corporal punishment unless he thought that it would be an especially effective deterrent. The Departmental Committee which examined this subject thoroughly before the war found no evidence that it was so.

Sir T. Moore

While fully appreciating the views of the Home Secretary on this matter, may I ask my hon. and learned Friend whether he realises that the British people, reading day after day of another case of a young girl or child or old person being murdered, mutilated or merely battered, will not tolerate much further delay, even though there is an open mind on the subject, and will demand action now? The figures quoted by my hon. and learned Friend are not convincing.

Mr. Lipton

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman convey the thanks of enlightened opinion to his colleague the Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department for her vigorous handling of one of the more bloodthirsty of the conferences referred to in this Question? Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that his colleague's effective reply to the Conservative Women's Conference is widely appreciated?