§ Q7. Sir C. Osborneasked the Prime Minister what reply he has given to the resolution sent to him by the National Union of Townswomen's Guilds on behalf of their executive committee and their 1,700 members urging Her Majesty's Government to retain capital punishment until a national plebiscite has been held; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI have acknowledged the letter conveying the terms of 67W the resolution. A national plebiscite is not part of our constitutional practice and in the Government's view the penalty for murder is essentially a matter which Parliament should decide on a free vote.