Full title reads: "SHOULD HANGING GO?"

London.

General view of House of Commons. Close up shot of Viscount Lord John Simon at Marsham Court, Westminster. Lord Simon, speaking after Lords rejected Commons suspension of death penalty: 'I took some part in resisting this proposal and I am sure that the vast majority of people will agree that this is no time to assure a man who may be plotting a murder, however horrible and brutal his crime may be, he may be certain that he will not be hanged.'

Long shot, interior of Scotland Yard Control room. Close up shot of policeman wearing headphones. Close up shot of hand writing notes on pad. Several shots of policeman moving discs into position on table - a map being marked.

Back view, police car draws up at pavement. Policeman gets out of car. Close up shot of policeman walking towards camera. Pall bearers carrying coffin of P. C. Edgar, police officer killed on duty. Mr James Chuter Ede, Home Secretary, standing with police officer. Men carrying coffin, pan to relatives.

Long shot of House of Commons. John Parsons walking along terrace of the House of Commons with Sydney Silverman, M. P. Mr Silverman speaking: 'Just because death is irrevocable and human judgement never infallible the State must not itself take life unless it cannot protect itself otherwise. No decent man or woman would tolerate hanging for a moment if hanging were unnecessary. Is it necessary?'

Angle shot scales of Justice at the Old Bailey. Close up shot of scales of Justice at Old Bailey.