E-petitions welcomed for 'more relevant' Commons

The first "e-petitions" - which allow the public to prompt parliamentary debates if they get enough support - have been published by the government.

The return of the death penalty heads the list of demands, with dozens of campaigners calling for it.

Sir George Young, the Leader of the House of Commons, has said that e-Petitions will make MPs' work "more relevant" to their constituents.