§ MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Jane Isabella Sharpies was sentenced at the City Police Court, Newcastle-on-Tyne, on 29th October, 1904, to be detained in a home until she was sixteen years of age, and that, although she attained that age on the 5th August last, she has not yet been released from the home at Chipping Norton, in Oxfordshire, to which she was sent, the officials of the home stating, in reply to the mother's protestations, that they intend to keep possession of the child until she is eighteen years old; and whether he will order the instant release of this child and cause immediate inquiry to be made into the conduct of the officials concerned.
§ *MR. GLADSTONEThis girl was found to be living with prostitutes. At the same time as she was committed her mother was, I am informed, sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard 667 labour for keeping a disorderly house. The girl was not committed to an industrial school, but was dealt with under Section 9 (1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act, 1904, and I have no jurisdiction in the matter. As she is over sixteen she is a free agent. I have, however, communicated with the authorities of the home, and I am informed that she remains there entirely of her own free will and that the officials have not stated that they intend to keep her until she is eighteen.
§ MR. BOWLESWhat was the order of the Court in this case?
§ *MR. GLADSTONEI cannot say at the moment. I have given the hon. Member the facts, and I am not inclined to interfere in the case.
MR. STANLEY WILSON (Yorkshire, E.R., Holderness)Was not the order of the Court to hand the girl over to the Court missionary and not to send her to an industrial school?
§ *MR. SPEAKERNotice should be given.