Mr. Walkerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the decision of the House on the Second Reading of the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Bill, what course he proposes to adopt in considering cases of persons sentenced to death under the present law.
§ Sir F. SoskiceMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have given careful consideration to this matter. It would be unconstitutional for us to abrogate capital punishment by administrative action in anticipation of the amendment of the law; it is our duty to apply our minds to the circumstances of each particular case. In doing so we shall have regard to all relevant considerations, including the recent decision of the House.