10 DECEMBER 1965, Page 14

Hanging and Treason

Six,—Mr. R. L. Travers is not strictly correct in saying that since 1814 the only punishment for high treason is hanging. What that Act (54 Geo. III c. 146) lays down is that beheading and quartering shall not be inflicted until the prisoner has been hanged. This rule was not affected by the 1870 For-

feiture Act and so the Crown still has power to order by warrant under sign manual that any male person who has been sentenced to be hanged for treason shall be beheaded. Women were, of course, never beheaded, but up to 1790 could be burned. It is also noteworthy that the common law rule per- mitting public executions still applies to treason. One wonders whether the heads are to be erected on Temple Bar at the Home Secretary's behest?