§ MR. THORNE (West Ham, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can see his way to advise His Majesty to grant a free pardon to Albert Bach, who was sentenced by Sir Ralph Littler at the Middlesex Sessions on 9th January, 1904, to seven years penal servitude for the offence of receiving stolen goods to the value of £3 15s., in consequence of his age, and in view of the fact that he has all his life borne an excellent character.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE, Leeds, W.)Both I and my predecessor have repeatedly given most careful consideration to this case, but I regret that I have not found any sufficient grounds for recommending any interference on the convict's behalf. Articles forming part of the proceeds of three separate cases of housebreaking were discovered in his shop. I may add that a receiver of stolen goods who has a good reputation is for that reason a more dangerous criminal.
§ MR. CLYNES (Manchester, N.E.)Did not the right hon. Gentleman himself state in this House recently that good character was a reason for imposing a light penalty?
§ MR. GLADSTONEIt is a question for the Court.