§ 59. Mr. W. Wellsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases of murder involving the death of a police officer on duty, in the last ten years, the Prerogative of Mercy has been exercised.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerIn the ten years 1949–58 there were only two cases in which the Home Secretary was called upon to consider whether to recommend the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy in favour of a prisoner sentenced to death for the murder of a police officer on duty. In neither case was a reprieve recommended. In the period 1920–58 there were ten such cases and a reprieve was recommended in four, including one during the period in 1948 during which all persons sentenced to death were reprieved.