§ MR. A. CHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)In the absence of the hon. Member for South Birmingham, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the woman Henrietta Ward, to whose case his attention was called on Friday last, has a sick child whom it has been found necessary to receive into the gaol along with her; and whether, in view of this circumstance, he will grant a reduction of her sentence?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.I am informed by the Governor of the prison that the woman entered the gaol with a very delicate child on September 4. Her husband had applied that the child might be sent to prison with her, as it was so ill, and the Magistrates consented. The child has since admission been medically treated, and is better than it was on admission. I am afraid that under the circumstances there is nothing to justify me in receding from the position I have taken up, and in authorising a reduction of the sentence.