§ MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, considering the great difference between the sentence of one year's imprisonment recently passed upon Mrs. Montagu for the manslaughter of her child, three years of age, and the sentence of death, since commuted to penal servitude for life, upon Fanny Gane for the murder of her newly-born illegitimate child, he will consider whether Fanny Gane might be released from imprisonment, or if he would state what course it is proposed to take in her case?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI have twice this Session informed the hon. Member that I am not prepared as yet to announce the ultimate reduction of sentence in the case of Fanny Gane. The hon. Member may feel sure that it will not be overlooked.
§ MR. MATTHEWSIt is usual to wait and see the effect of prison discipline before announcing the ultimate decision. The reduction of the sentence is always very considerable.