§ GENERAL SHUTEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been drawn to the painful case of cruelty to children disclosed on the trial for manslaughter of Charlotte Green, alias Martin, at the late Spring Assizes at Lewis; and, whether he will consider the advisability of some amendment in the Infants' Life Protection Act of 1872 that might prove a check to such atrocious practices?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, that, no doubt, the case referred to was a most revolting, horrible, and heartless one. The learned Judge who tried the case had promised him a copy of his notes. After reading them, he should be able to see whether the cruel practices to which the hon. and gallant Member drew attention had been rendered possible through any omission in the Infants' Life Protection Act, and whether it required amendment or not. In any case, there were, under that Act, very strong powers in the hands of the local authorities, and it was a question whether they should not be called on to exercise them.