§ MR. SCHWANNI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the cases which the Recorder of Manchester tried at the City Assizes there on Tuesday the 26th instant: of William Whitby, who was found to have been convicted of stealing eleven times since 1898; of James Wright, described as a confirmed pickpocket; and of Ann Smith, who stole a purse, and had been eighteen times convicted of different, offences; and if so, will he say when he will be able to introduce his Bill for the segregation of habitual and irreclaimable criminals.
§ MR. AKERS DOUGLASThe hon. Member has been good enough to send me reports of the cases referred to, and I can only say that many of a similar character come before me from day to day. I am most anxious to do something in the direction indicated, and have proposals under immediate consideration; but I can make no promise as to the date at which I may be able to bring in a Bill.