Mr. ArthurLewis asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take the necessary steps, if necessary by introducing legislation, to enable judges to have the opportunity of recommending to him capital punishment where, in the opinion of the trial judge, a person convicted of murder of a bestial or vicious type would deserve to be awarded such a penalty.
§ Mr. MayhewNo. The outcome of the debate on 11 May this year on amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill proposing the reintroduction of capital punishment for all or certain kinds of murder leaves no reason to believe that the majority of Members of this House would favour legislation on the lines that the hon. Member suggests.