§ MR. PICTON (Leicester)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies how many days Mr. Copland Crawford remained in prison in Sierra Leone after he was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment for causing a native servant to be flogged to death; what was the date of his arrival in Liverpool, and also the date of his final release; and whether any decision has been arrived at concerning his claim to a pension?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS,) Liverpool, East ToxtethIt appears from the records connected with the case that Mr. Crawford had undergone imprisonment since 11th April, 1889. The trial ended on 20th July. On 29th July the officer administering the Government reported that, on the advice of a Medical Board, he had caused Mr. Crawford to be handed over to the custody of the police for safe detention in the colonial hospital. He left Sierra Leone on 8th August. Therefore, after conviction he remained in prison nine days, and in the colonial hospital in custody 10 days. He arrived at Liverpool on 24th August, was at once examined by Dr. Ross and Dr. Beamish, and immediately released. His employment at Sierra Leone was only on a temporary engagement for six months, which expired on 11th March, 1889, before the time when he was brought to trial. I There is, therefore, no question of any claim to pension or gratuity of any kind; but I may add that no pension could, under any circumstances, be awarded to an officer convicted of felony and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment with hard labour.