§ SIR JOHN KENNAWAY (Devon, Honiton)I wish to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is the fact that members of the Salvation Army imprisoned at Stamford were unable from poverty to pay the fine imposed upon them by local magistrates for obstructing the public thoroughfare, and that in default of payment of the fine they have not already been imprisoned for 14 days; whether, under those circumstances, he does not think the authority of the law has been sufficiently vindicated; and, whether he can see his way to recommend that the remainder of the term of imprisonment of these people be remitted?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I believe the facts are as stated in the Question of my hon. Friend. Moreover, the prisoners in question have been unable, like the two others who were sentenced under similar circumstances, to secure the benefit of an appeal on the question of law involved. In consideration of these facts, and, without at all impugning the decision of the magistrates, I have given directions that they shall be released from further imprisonment.
§ MR. JAMES STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)said, he had himself intended 167 to question the right hon. Gentleman on this subject; but after the reply of the Home Secretary it was not necessary for him to do so.