§ MR. J. C. MACDONA (Southwark, Rotherhithe)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that at a coroner's inquest, held recently upon the body of a young woman on the north side of the Thames, it was stated the body was still warm, although it had been towed by a rope attached to a boat for some distance on the river after it had been found, indicating that possibly the young woman may have been alive when first discovered; whether he is aware that a reward is only given in case of life being extinct in bodies rescued from the Thames, which fact may possibly exercise a restraining influence upon those inclined to try and save drowning persons; and whether the Government will take steps to prevent such a possibility?
§ MR. BRYCENo, Sir; the facts are not within my knowledge. The matter does not fall within the jurisdiction of my Department. But I cannot believe that anyone would be guilty of the detestable inhumanity suggested in the question, and would leave a fellow creature to drown for the sake of a paltry reward.
§ MR. MACDONAMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if I may read a letter which shows that such a case has occurred?
§ MR. BRYCEThe matter does not belong to my Department in any way. If the hon. Gentleman has any communication to make he had better make it to the Metropolitan Police.