MR. J. W. LOWTHER (for Lord BURGHLEY)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the cases of William Rawson and John Pratt, who were awarded imprisonment, with hard labour, in default of payment of fines amounting to £5 12s. 3d. at Thrapston, on March 4th, for carrying a gun without a licence; and, whether it is true that they were discharged by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue on March 17th, the penalties not having been paid, without communication with the committing magistrates, though there were over 20 previous convictions against Pratt, and three, including one of felony, against Rawson?
§ MR. COURTNEYIt is true that the Inland Revenue Board, in exercise of their statutory powers, released these men after a fortnight's imprisonment, considering that term sufficient for the offence of not taking out a 10s. gun licence. The Board were unaware of any circumstance which rendered it incumbent upon them to communicate with the committing magistrates in a matter entirely within their own authority.