§ MR. REES DAVIES (Pembrokeshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether his attention has been called to the case of Thomas Rogers, who was tried at the Pembrokeshire Assizes, in January last, upon a charge of wounding with intent to murder, and being found guilty, but insane, was ordered by Mr. Justice Vaughan Williams to be detained during Her Majesty's pleasure: (2) whether he is aware that the medical evidence showed the wounds inflicted to be of a highly dangerous character, and the life of the prosecutor for some time despaired of; and that Rogers has recently been released and allowed to return to his home in Pembrokeshire, after being detained for less than three months in a criminal lunatic asylum; (3) whether he will state upon what ground his release was 30 ordered; and (4) whether, in view of the terror existing in the district at so dangerous a character being at large, he will give instructions for special police supervision over Rogers, so as to prevent a repetition of such grave misconduct?
§ MR. ASQUITHThomas Rogers was discharged after careful inquiry into the case, the result of which was to convince the Director of Broadmoor and myself that Rogers is not, and was not at the time of the crime, insane, and, consequently, that the verdict was wrong. I may say, that the learned Judge, who presided at the trial, concurred in this view, and agreed with me that, in the circumstances, Rogers ought to be released from further detention in a criminal lunatic asylum. The Chief Constable of Pembrokeshire has been fully informed of the apprehensions referred to in the last paragraph of the question, and has been desired to adopt such measures as may be necessary, with a view to prevent any misconduct or annoyance on the part of Rogers, should he attempt it. I have received a reply from the Chief constable, from which it appears that he had anticipated this request, and had taken all the precautionary steps which the circumstances seem to require.