§ MR. CONYBEAREI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has seen the report in the Essex Weekly News of the sentences passed by the Chelmsford Magistrates upon three prisoners, one of whom was a girl, who were all charged with robbing their employers, and were recommended to mercy, none of them having been previously convicted; upon what grounds was the girl sentenced without option of fine to two terms of one month's hard labour each for what was practically one offence, while the men were let off with a fine of 40s.; and whether he will inquire into the circumstances with a view to mitigating her sentence?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI have not seen the report, and I have no information as to the case, but am making inquiry, and will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.