§ LORD AILWYNasked His Majesty's Government whether it is true, as reported in the Press, that a murderer who was sentenced to death has been reprieved on the grounds that "medical evidence shows there would be difficulty in carrying out the execution in a humane manner"; and, if so, whether they will state in what way the loss of a leg is alleged to preclude the normal carrying out of the death sentence; whether this reprieve is to be made a precedent in future cases of one-legged criminals; and whether this apparent concern for the malefactor is conducive either to respect for the law or to justice for the bereaved, and is not far more likely to bring the law into ridicule and contempt.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT JOWITT)My right honourable friend the Home Secretary was advised that owing to the injuries received by this prisoner the execution would have been attended with unusual difficulties, and that there was a risk of some occurrence which might have prevented it from being carried out expeditiously and humanely. It by no means follows that clemency will be shown to all one-legged criminals. The circumstances of this case were exceptional.
House adjourned at thirteen minutes before eight o'clock.