§ MR. LOUIS SINCLAIR (Essex, Romford)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has bean called to the case of Gertrude Philbrick, a child aged thirteen, who pleaded guilty to stealing 3(Z. from the pocket of a fellow schoolgirl, and was sentenced by the Colchester magistrates on 27th February to fourteen days imprisonment in the second division; and, if so, will he state what action lie intends to take in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers Douglas.) I have already had this case before me, and have caused inquiry to be made. In view of all the circumstances that have been brought to my notice, including the fact that the girl had been previously convicted of larceny, I have not felt justified in advising any interference with the sentence; but I am now in communication with the magistrates as to the best way of dealing with such cases.