§ MR. LEHMANN (Leicestershire, Market Harborough)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of John Baines, a dealer, who, on Wednesday, 24th April, at the Central CriminalCourt, was sentenced to twelve month's hard labour for the theft of a metal inkpot from the Parliament Street Post Office; whether there were any previous convictions proved against the prisoner; and if not, whether he will take the matter into consideration with a view to satisfying himself that the sentence was not unduly severe.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) My attention has not previously been called to the sentence passed upon this man. His record shows previous convictions of a serious character, but I will ascertain by inquiry whether these convictions were proved in court.