§ MR. MORGAN LLOYDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will inquire whether it be true that, on the third instant one Albert Jones, aged eight years, was committed to Montgomery Gaol by 1104 two of the Welshpool Borough Justices, to be kept on remand until this day, on a charge of stealing twenty-four shillings—bail being refused; whether, as stated by the mother to one of the Visiting Justices, she was, on the 10th instant, requested to induce her husband to vote for the Conservative candidate at the now pending election, and declined to do so because her boy was kept in prison; and, whether, on the following day, the boy was released by an order signed by one of the committing magistrates on the express stipulation that the boy's father would vote for the Conservative candidate?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSSince this Question was put to me the other day, the hon. Member handed to me a letter signed by a Mr. Crewe Read, and in consequence of that letter I thought it right to make inquiry in the locality. I have not yet got an answer by post myself; but an hon. Friend of mine has placed in my hand a letter signed by the Mayor and one of the committing magistrates, in which they say they entirely deny the statements, or that there is 'the slightest foundation for the accusation. I received a few minutes ago a telegram from the Mayor of Welshpool to say that he has replied to my communication by post denying the charge, and that, if necessary, he would come up this evening in order to explain the whole matter.
§ MR. MORGAN LLOYDWill the right hon. Gentleman read the letter of Captain Crewe Read that I handed to him? ["No!"] May I ask if the boy was committed?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSsaid, lie thought he had explained that he had written down to Welshpool, and that he had not yet received an answer. As soon as he received it he should be glad to place it in the hands of the hon. and learned Member.
§ MR. MORGAN LLOYDgave Notice that he would again call attention to this question after the holidays.