§ MR. LEES KNOWLES (Salford, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department—(1) if his attention has been drawn to the case of John Kelsall, who was convicted at the Manchester Assizes, held in May, 1892, for the manslaughter of his wife by throwing a lighted paraffin lamp at her, the case against Kelsall resting almost entirely upon the evidence of the only eyewitness, his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Curran; (2) whether he is aware that Curran (as reported in The Times of 6th March), was subsequently convicted on her own confession with having committed perjury at Kelsall's trial, was sentenced thereupon to seven years' penal servitude, and Kelsall released from prison; and (3) if he can make any compensation, or compassionate allowance to John Kelsall?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. W. RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolThe facts of this case are as stated in the first two paragraphs of the Question, and have received my careful attention. After full consideration of all the circumstances, I am of opinion that I should not be justified in departing from the decision of my predecessor not to advise the grant of any compensation or compassionate allowance to John Kelsall.