§ MR. J. STUART MILLsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been called to the case of Mr. William Castle, of Melton Mowbray, recently sentenced by a bench of magistrates to four- 1554 teen days' imprisonment with hard labour, for non-payment of twelve shillings imposed on him as costs on account of a dismissed charge, he being sixty-three years old, and, as he states, unable to pay that sum; and whether Her Majesty's Government will adopt any measure to prevent imprisonment, imposed in lieu of a pecuniary payment, from being accompanied by the penal infliction of hard labour?
§ MR. GATHORNE HARDYreplied, that he had not heard of this case till it was mentioned by the hon. Gentleman yesterday; but he had taken steps to obtain information. When he was fully informed on the subject he would state his impression as to whether there was any necessity for future legislation.