§ VISCOUNT TEMPLEWOODasked His Majesty's Government what are the conditions of employment of the public executioner, whether he has any assistants, and what they are paid, how both he and they are appointed, and when the present holders of the posts were appointed, and how they were appointed.
1042WA
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORA person acting as executioner is engaged for an execution by the High Sheriff concerned, who fixes his remuneration; he is required to conform with any instructions given by the Sheriff, or on his behalf, and to conduct himself discreetly before, during and after the execution. He is lodged at the prison for the night previous to the execution. There are at present four persons qualified to act as assistants. They are paid three guineas for each execution at which they assist; their travelling expenses are also paid. There is no formal appointment, either as executioner or as assistant, but a list of qualified persons is maintained by the Prison Commissioners Executioners will usually have had previous experience as assistants. Of the existing two executioners, one first acted in that capacity on October 31, 1941, and the other on March 26, 1946. Of tae four assistants, one first acted on October 31, 1940, one on November 26, 1940, one on December 13, 1949, and one on March 8, 1950.
House adjourned at twenty-seven minutes before seven o'clock.