Prerogative of Mercy

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 15 January 1964.

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Photo of Mr Hector Hughes Mr Hector Hughes , Aberdeen North 12:00, 15 January 1964

Does not the Secretary of State realise that the present practice is inconsistent with the time-honoured system of trial by judge and jury, the giving of evidence publicly adduced and cross-examined, and that the present practice of acting on extrinsic evidence given to him secretly is entirely wrong ethically and inconsistent with British justice? Will he look into that, and see that this practice is changed, so that British traditions and British justice may be honoured in the future?