§ MR. SCHWANNI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the advisability of holding that a certain number of convictions should entitle a criminal to the perpetual protection of the State from his tendencies to crime, and whether he has further considered the opinion expressed by Sir It. Anderson, late Chief of Scotland Yard, with regard to the small number of criminals who form the high-class organising body of criminals in the metropolitan area, and the desirability of preventing them from prosecuting their nefarious schemes; and whether, in both cases, he proposes by legislation or otherwise, to act in the direction indicated.
§ * MR. RITCHIEI have made inquiries, and I am not prepared to accept the opinion referred to in the question as well founded, or as affording a basis for legislative or other action. The general question as to the best mode of dealing with habitual criminals has, for some time, been under the anxious consideration of the Home Office, and I am in communication with His Majesty's Judges on the subject. The question is one of extreme difficulty, but I am in hopes that I may see my way to deal with it, by legislation if necessary.