HC Deb 08 March 1966 vol 725 cc493-4W
Mr. Taverne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state, in relation to the 107 persons listed in the Criminal Statistics for 1964 as having been given a free pardon on grounds affecting their original conviction, how many had committed indictable and summary offences, respectively, how many were serving terms of imprisonment at the time, and how many had appealed unsuccessfully against their convictions.

Miss Bacon

Of the 107 persons referred to 3 were convicted of indictable offences—including one tried summarily with his consent—6 were convicted summarily of offences triable either on indictment or summarily, and 98 were convicted of summary offences.

Two persons were serving sentences of imprisonment at the time the free pardons were granted; 4 had already served the sentence of imprisonment imposed on conviction.

Three persons had appealed unsuccessfully against conviction. In a number of cases there was no right of appeal against conviction because the accused had pleaded guilty at the magistrates' court.