§ MR. BOTTOMLEY (Hackney, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has been furnished by the solicitors acting for Mr. Hugh Watt with a signed statement by Mrs. Lightfoot, and a statutory declaration by Hannah Parker, to the effect that the convict Lightfoot was not at any time during the month of August last, and down to and including the 15th September last, within 150 miles of London, and that on the morning of the 24th August last Lightfoot and his wife drove to Ripon and returned the same day at 7 p.m.; and whether, having regard to the bearing of these statements upon the evidence given at the recent trial of Hugh Watt, he has taken any, and, if so, what steps to test their accuracy.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI have examined the statements referred to, but as at present advised I do not think that these statements, even if they should prove to be true, would afford any justification for my advising interference with the sentence. I am, however, making some inquiries, and when I have further considered the matter I will let the hon. Member know my decision.