§ MR. C. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Spilsby Petty Sessional Court, held on 14th February last, ordered Maria Albons, a domestic servant, to contribute 1s. a week towards the support of her aged parents, although in a letter addressed to the chairman of the Court she stated that she was too poor to go to Spilsby to defend her case, and that if the order was made she would be compelled to discontinue her allowance of between £4 and £5 per annum towards the rent of her parents' cottage; and whether, under these circumstances, he can see his way to advise the Court to withdraw the order?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. W. RIDLEY,) Lancashire, N., BlackpoolI have made inquiry about this case. The defendant's letter did not contain either of the statements mentioned in the Question, and I am informed she had absolutely refused to give the Guardians any information as to her ability or 23 inability to contribute towards the support of her parents. I have no jurisdiction to interfere with the order of the magistrates; but the order has not yet been enforced, and I understand it is not likely to be, if she shows she has paid the rent mentioned in the Question, or shows inability to comply with the order.