§ 14. Mr. McMasterasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring in a bill to reintroduce the death penalty for political murder within the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. R. CarrNo, Sir.
§ Mr. McMasterIf the Home Secretary is unwilling to reintroduce capital punishment will he consider its reintroduction at least for the murder of a soldier or a policeman within the United Kingdom, as political murders, particularly those in Northern Ireland, are often committed by fanatical people who are difficult to trace? Is it not the Government's duty to protect civilians in these circumstances?
§ Mr. CarrYes, it is, but of course the debate, as always on this matter, among other things, rests on one's judgment of the value of capital punishment as a deterrent. Capital punishment remains in Northern Ireland for certain of the type of murders to which my hon. Friend is referring, and it has hardly worked as a good deterrent there.
§ Mr. PagetDoes the Home Secretary not agree that where murders are committed by fanatical people whom it is difficult to trace capital punishment is least likely to be a deterrent?
§ Mr. CarrThis is a matter of personal view and conscience. It has nothing to do with normal party allegiance. It has been discussed in the House a good many times in recent years and few people are in any doubt that there is a natural and fairly strong majority here against any restoration of capital punishment.