HC Deb 07 April 1892 vol 3 cc829-30
MR. S. SMITH (Flintshire)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether there is any truth in the statement in the newspapers that a child of the age of five years has been sentenced by Magistrates in Edinburgh to ten days' imprisonment (for stealing from its father), to be followed by a committal to a reformatory; and whether steps will be taken to discharge the said child from any further punishment?

* THE LORD ADVOCATE (Sir C. J. PEARSON,) Edinburgh and St. Andrews Universities

There is no truth in the statement referred to by the hon. Member. The child in question is in his 14th year, and had been previously convicted of theft. This consequently was his second offence, and his father specially desired that he should be sent to a reformatory, as he had lost all control over him.