§ MR. BOWRINGsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, How far there is any truth in the statement contained in the daily papers, to the effect that two infants, aged respectively five and six years, have just been convicted and sentenced by the Brentford Magistrates to a fine of 2s. each, or, in default, to seven days' imprisonment, for breaking down and stealing three small pieces of old fencing at Twickenham?
MR. BRUCE, in reply, said, he believed that the statement made by the hon. Gentleman was quite correct. He knew of nothing to render the sentence illegal. He had received a report from the magistrates, in which it was stated that several offences of this kind had been committed, and that the police were directed to keep a watch, and these children were caught. The magistrates had no doubt that the children were sent by their parents. The fine was inflicted in the presence of the parents, in order that the punishment might fall on them. The magistrates declared that there was no intention of sending the children to prison.