HC Deb 07 April 1982 vol 21 cc336-7W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases, since the abolition of the death penalty, persons convicted of murder have subsequently been pardoned or had their conviction quashed.

Mr. Mayhew

Since the abolition of the death penalty in 1965 Timothy Evans is the only person convicted of murder to have been granted a free pardon on the recommendation of a Home Secretary. That part of the question relating to convictions quashed by the Court of Appeal is a matter for the Lord Chancellor; but I understand that the figures are not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate expense.