From the archives: Lawyers call for abolition of death penalty in Scotland, 6 April, 1950

Published on 06/04/2012 00:00

THE point that the Royal Commission on Capital Punishment had not the power, under their terms of reference, to recommend abolition of the death penalty in Great Britain but could only recommend modification or limitation, was emphasised yesterday by the chairman, Sir Ernest Cowers, when the commission heard evidence at their third sitting in Edinburgh from representatives of the Muir Society.

Sir Ernest made the statement after Mr Sinclair Shaw, advocate, who along with Mr G. G. Slott, advocate, represented the society, had said that some witnesses appeared to have overlooked the fact that the terms of reference did not cover a recommendation for total abolition. The Muir Society is an organisation of lawyers who support the Labour Party and was founded for the purpose of promoting law reforms.

• archive.scotsman.com