§ Mr. DAVITT (Mayo, South)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the case of a child six years old, the daughter of a collier named Flaherty, who was outraged and then murdered near St. Helen's in December last, what steps were taken by the local police to discover the author of the crime; whether the Home Office supplemented these steps; and, if so, in what manner; and whether any clue of any kind has been obtained up to the present to lead to a hope that the murderer may be discovered?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M, WHITE RIDLEY,) Lanes., BlackpoolCareful inquiry has been and is still being made by the police into this dreadful affair, but hitherto, I understand, without result. I am not aware how the Home Office could profitably supplement the steps taken by them.
§ MR. DAVITTMay I ask whether it has occurred to the Home Office to offer a reward in connection with this case?
§ THE HOME SECRETARYWe do not offer rewards in these cases. It has been found by long experience that the offering of rewards does more harm than good.