§ MR. MACDONALD (Tower Hamlets, Bow)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the sentence of one month's hard labour passed on two men at the Petty Sessions held at Midhurst, on 26th October, for cutting furze sticks on Redford Common valued in the case of one of the men at 1s., and in the case of the other at 2s. 8d.; and whether he will recommend the remission of this sentence?
§ MR. ASQUITHMy attention has been called to this case, and it appears that the cutting of furze sticks has become a regular practice, the sticks being afterwards barked and sold for umbrella handles. The two men referred to are of the vagrant class, and one of them had no less than ten previous convictions for petty offences, and was only just out of prison. After considering all the circumstances of the case, I regret 878 that I cannot see my way to interfere with the sentence.
§ MR. MACDONALDBut as to the other man?
§ MR. ASQUITHI am not aware of any previous convictions against him.