§ * MR. BOWLESI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now ascertained that Mr. H. Maughan, of Gateshead, has been deprived of his son William, aged six, for a period of ten years, condemned to pay a fine of 5s. and costs, and a standing charge of 1s. 6d. per week for ten years, on the sole, unsupported, and contradicted evidence of one police constable; and, if so, whether he proposes to allow this sentence to stand.
§ MR. GLADSTONEAs I have already explained to the hon. Member, I am satisfied, after careful inquiry, that the committal of this boy to an industrial 404 school was right, and in the best interests of the child; and there is no reason why the father should not make a contribution towards his maintenance. I am, therefore, not prepared to take any action in the matter.
§ * MR. BOWLESMay I ask whether, as a matter of fact, any evidence whatever was offered before the magistrates in support of the charge against this parent; and whether the right hon. Gentleman considers it in the public interest that, in any case, the single word of one policeman should suffice to separate a parent from his child for ten years.
§ MR. GLADSTONEsaid that if any new facts arose they would be considered. All these cases came up periodically for review.