§ MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to a case at the Marlborough Street Police Court, where one George Smith was charged with fraudulent enlistment into the Militia, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour; and, whether he can see his way to recommend that the full penalty shall not be inflicted?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYI have inquired into the circumstances of this case. The offence of making a false answer, with which the prisoner was charged, was aggravated by his also concealing the fact that he had previously been discharged from another regiment for misconduct. In these circumstances the magistrate thought it a case for imposing the full penalty. The offence, he informs me, is of daily occurrence, and gives much trouble; and I do not see my way to recommending any interference.