Major C. LOWTHERasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the remarks made at the inquest on James Hutton Williamson by the coroner to the effect that executions are a mistake, a barbaric system, and no detriment to crime; and whether he will set up a Committee to examine the arguments upon this subject or, alternatively, instruct a permanent official at the Home Office to receive and examine written arguments upon the matter?
I. ALL AREAS. Year ended. Capital employed. Return to Capital employed. Percentage return to Capital employed. (1) (2) (3) (4) £ £ 31st March, 1919 … … 1,087,839 153,491 14.11 (43,999) 31st March, 1920 … … 1,185,509 196,819 16.60 (35,709) 31st March, 1921 … … 1,251,605 138,819 11.09 (32,320) 1168W
II. CARLISLE AREA. £ £ 31st March, 1919 … … 834,123 130,782 15.68 (34,263) 31st March, 1920 … … 884,888 163,727 18.50 (24,464) 31st March, 1921 … … 929,696 130,071 13.99 (21,695) The figure in Column 2 is the mean of the Capital employed at the beginning and at the end of each period. The figure in Column 3 is made up of the interest (shown separately in brackets) charged on the net Exchequer advances and on other outstanding liabilities, together with the further sum accumulated out of profits and accruing to the Exchequer towards replacement of capital cost.
§ Sir J. BAIRDThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.