§ MR. ANSTRUTHER (St. Andrews, &c.)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a Petition from the inhabitants of Cellar-dyke and district, signed by upwards of 1,500 persons, praying for modification of the sentence of six months' imprisonment passed upon Robert Ritchie in the Sheriff Court at Cupar Fife, on the 12th of June, 1893; whether he has also received a Petition, signed by the whole of the jurymen in the case, to the same effect; and whether he can state if he is willing to give effect to the prayer of these Petitions?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANI received the Petitions referred to by the hon. Member; but, after careful consideration and after full communication with the Judge who tried the case, I was unable to see any sufficient reason for interference with the sentence.