E.R.
BACKGROUND NOTE
1.
The death penalty for murder was abolished by the Murder (Abolition of the Death Penalty) Act 1965 which became law on 8
November 1965, subject to confirmation within 5 years. The abolition was made permanent in 1969. The Act does not extend to offences other than murder. No execution has taken place in
Britain since 1964.
2.
The Treason Act 1351 encompasses:
The murder of the King, the Queen and his eldest son and
heir.
Violating the Queen, the King's eldest unmarried
daughter and the wife of his eldest son.
Levying war against the King in his realm.
Adhering to
the King's enemies in his realm.
3.
Slaying the Chancellor, Treasurer or King's judges "doing their offices".
The Armed Forces Act 1971 includes, as offences punishable by death:
4.
Surrendering a place or thing to the enemy.
Abandoning a place or thing to the enemy.
Various offences with intent to assist the enemy.
Since 1979 there have been 5 major debates on the reintroduction of the death penalty. It was last debated in the House of Commons on June 1988 during the passage of the Criminal Justice Bill Act 1988. The proposal to reintroduce capital punishment for murder was defeated on a free vote by 341 votes to