§ SIR JOHN KENNAWAYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been directed to a letter in The Pall Mall Gazette of Saturday last, which stated that boys performing in the circus called "Ginnette's" were trained to perform their feats surrounded by men holding whips, who, each time they failed, lashed them severely, till sometimes their backs were one mass of blood; and, whether he would institute an inquiry as to the truth of this statement, and, if possible, have a stop put to such revolting cruelty?
§ MR. W. H. JAMESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been directed to a Letter, signed G. Napier Whittingham, in The Pall Mall Gazette of 28th March, detailing certain cruelties practised upon children by trainers and managers of a travelling circus known as "Ginnette's Circus;" and, if he will take steps to ascertain whether these statements are correct, with a view of instituting proceedings to prevent their occurrence?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTI am afraid there is hardly substance enough in the Questions to warrant an official inquiry. A gentleman writes to the newspapers to say that a friend of his was told by somebody else that something happened, not now, but at some former time. In reality the information comes to me at fourth hand, and I cannot set about an inquiry. If my hon. 1098 Friends will vouch for the story themselves, or will give me some foundation for it, I will make an inquiry.
§ MR. W. H. JAMESI will repeat my Question when the House re-assembles.
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTThere is no use in repeating the Question unless the hon. Member gives me some more information on the subject.