§ COLONEL PRYCE-JONES (Montgomery Boroughs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the conviction of certain undergraduates of the University of Cambridge by the local magistrates for the offence of burning some pro- 742 perty on the night of the national celebration of the relief of Ladysmith; and whether, as the effect of this conviction is to incapacitate these undergraduates from entering any of the learned professions, he will consider whether a free pardon might be granted to these young offenders.
§ *SIR M. WHITE RIDLEYMy attention has been called to this case, and I am at present making inquiry into it. I cannot answer the question to-day, but I may remind my hon. and gallant friend that the offence of which these undergraduates were convicted was not wilful damage, but larceny.