§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received in the last three months in favour of a re-introduction of (a) corporal punishment and (b) capital punishment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MayhewIn the three months ending 30 June, 674 letters favouring the reintroduction of corporal or capital punishment (or both) were received, including 85 from right hon. and hon. Members forwarding their constituents' views. Of the total, 96 were concerned solely with corporal punishment. My right hon. Friend has no 281W plans to reopen the issue of corporal punishment; the considerable doubts about its efficacy expressed by committees of inquiry in 1938 and 1960 remain valid today. A motion to restore the death penalty was defeated by a substantial majority in this House on 19 July 1979 and we are not aware of any major change in the views of the House since that time.