§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware that on November 23 William Henry Sarchet was sentenced by the Royal Court, Guernsey, to six weeks' imprisonment, half hard labour, for assaulting an officer, the technical assault proved being that Walter Henry Sarchet had refused to accept service of, and had re-turned 1394 to the officer, a summons issued against Walter Sarchet, son of William Henry Sarchet, charged with absenting himself from Militia drill; whether numerous prosecutions are now taking place in Guernsey in connection with the compulsory Militia Service; whether a very strong feeling prevails in the Island on the subject; and whether the Government will take any action in the matter?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have received a Report from the Governor of the Island of Guernsey, who informs me that the charge against W. H. Sarchet was for assaulting the Queen's officers while in the execution of their duty. The officers came to his house to leave summonses on his son, who resided there, the son having been actioned before the Royal Court for not attending to his Militia duties. On two occasions the officers were met outside his house by the father, who on each occasion assaulted them and used threatening language. From a return which the Governor has forwarded to me, I do not gather that prosecutions for infractions of the Militia Law are in excess of the average of previous years. The Governor tells me that a strong feeling prevails that the laws of the Island should be respected and enforced. The Government do not propose to take any action in the matter.