§ Mr. Bendallasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the proposal to incorporate the abolition of capital punishment in the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MayhewIn this country questions relating to the death penalty are decided by a free vote of this House, without the Government expressing any collective view. Accordingly, while respecting the views of those member states of the Council of Europe which may be willing to be bound by the terms of protocol No. 6 to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Her Majesty's Government will not enter into any international obligations concerning the abolition of the death penalty.