§ MR. SEXTONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, on the 6th instant, at Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, a boy named Edward Shadlock, aged ten years, charged with stealing, was remanded to the 19th instant, by Mr. J. J. Young, a magistrate of the county; whether the governor of the prison in which the boy is confined has reported that he is very small for his ago, and only four stone weight, and that he thinks it a cruelty to keep the boy so long in prison; whether the action of the magistrate was within the law; and, what action, if any, will be taken?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTThe statement in the Question is true. I have received a Report from the Governor of the prison to the effect that the boy was very small for his age, was only 56 lbs. in weight, and that it was cruelty to keep him so long in prison. The boy, after he was charged, was remanded for a fortnight, which was equivalent to a fortnight's imprisonment. But, unfortunately, the case has been delayed in coming before me, or I should have taken the same course, as I did in another case, that of a little girl 11 years of age at Portsmouth, who had been committed for obtaining tea and sugar by false pretences. The trial was not to come on for three months, and I ordered bail to be obtained for her. I think such a course ought to be pursued in all cases.
§ MR. WARTONasked whether, seeing how many cases of the sort arose, it would not be well if the right hon. and learned Gentleman issued a Circular to the magistrates to let them know what the law on the subject was?