MR. COLEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is his intention to bring in a Bill in the present Session to amend the Law with respect to the punishment to be awarded to persons convicted of brutal assaults; and, if so, when; and, whether it is his intention to propose any alteration in the Prisons Act, 1865, so as to enable governors of gaols to employ prisoners sentenced to hard labour in industrial labour instead of the so-called first class hard labour?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSSir, it is the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill during the present Session to amend the Laws relating to-punishment awarded for brutal assaults, and I propose on Monday to ask leave to bring in such Bill. With regard to the second point, I believe that industrial labour may be used as the Act now stands. The Prisons Act, however, has now been in operation 10 years, and the Government have asked for information as to whether some amendment 1825 of that Act may not be necessary. That information is not yet before us; but next Session it may be necessary to introduce a Bill on the subject.