asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that three Secretaries of State are personally responsible for advising on the use of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively, he will examine the operation of the system in order to see if it would be desirable to introduce uniform criteria for the exercise of these responsibilities.

I have been asked to reply.In advising on the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy the responsible Secretaries of State already apply well understood common principles.