Note from [Sir Edward Troup, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Home Office] replying to points raised by Edward Pickersgill in a letter to the editor of the Times, dated 4 November. A cutting of the letter is pasted to [Sir Edward's] note and concerns a statement by WSC to the Justices for East Langbaurgh [Yorkshire] that the Crown had been advised on the exercise of the prerogative of mercy by Lord Crewe [earlier Lord Houghton, also Robert Milnes]. Mr Pickersgill argues that although Principal Secretaries of State may discharge one another's duties, the exercise of clemency is an exception and lies with the Home Secretary alone.[Sir Edward] describes Mr Pickersgill's letter as "singularly foolish" and confuses the power of one S[ecretary] of S[tate] to act for another with the responsibility of the S[ecretary] of S[tate] and of the Cabinet. The function of the prerogative of mercy is not limited by statute to the Home Secretary and thus may be carried out by other S[ecretaries] of S[tate]. He adds that the Home Secretary deals with criminal and capital cases on his own responsibility although he may seek the advice of the Cabinet on the latter. Manuscript signed with initials, also intialled by WSC and dated "8.11".