HC Deb 21 January 1924 vol 169 cc578-9W
Mr. BARKER

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of murders that occurred, and the number of persons executed and the number reprieved, in Great Britain during the year ending 31st December, 1923?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

During the year ending 31st December, 1923, 24 persons were sentenced to death in Great Britain, of these 14 were executed; nine were reprieved; one was certified insane and removed to Broadmoor. I cannot say how many murders occurred; the returns from the police and the coroners for last year have not been received.

Mr. DUNNICO

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of persons sentenced to death in England and Wales from November, 1922, to December, 1923; the number of these so sentenced who were reprieved; the number recommended to mercy; and the number of these so recommended upon whom the capital sentence was executed?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

From 1st November, 1922, to 31st December, 1923, 32 persons were sentenced to death; in 14 cases the sentences were commuted to penal servitude for life. One was certified insane and removed to Broadmoor. One conviction was quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal, who substituted a verdict of manslaughter and a sentence of 18 months' hard labour. There were 13 recommendations to mercy, and three of those so recommended were executed.