HC Deb 02 August 1962 vol 664 cc115-6W
31. Mr. David James

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether persons under sentence of death are given the opportunity of taking pre-operative sedative drugs in the hours immediately preceding their execution.

Mr. Brooke

Where such drugs are needed they may be prescribed. The matter is within the discretion of the medical officer and he exercises this discretion humanely.