§ MR. SNOWDEN (Blackburn)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the sentence of six weeks imprisonment 233 by the magistrate at Marylebone on three women for an alleged disturbance in Cavendish Square, and if he is also aware that one of the women is sixty-four years of age and of very respectable character, and if he proposes to take any action in the matter.
§ MR. GLADSTONEYes, Sir. I am aware of this case, and I have been in communication with the learned magistrate. I find that the three defendants were urged by him to give him an assurance that they would not repeat their conduct, and that on their refusal to do so he ordered them to enter into their recognisances in £50 each to keep the peace for twelve months, and to find a surety each in the same amount. They will only be obliged to go to prison for six weeks if they decline to enter into these recognisances and to find these sureties. Hitherto they have refused, but I am informed that they are well able to do so if they choose. In these circumstances I do not propose to take any action in the matter.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEDo not two of the defendants deny that, although they were in the square, they committed any offence?
§ MR. GLADSTONEThat is not a question for me.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEI shall raise the question on the adjournment.