HC Deb 06 June 1907 vol 175 cc853-4
MR. F. E. SMITH

I beg ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many and what cases, and to what amounts, compensation has been recommended by the Home Office in the last twenty years in cases where persons have been convicted of criminal offences, and it has been demonstrated that such convictions were unsatisfactory.

*MR. GLADSTONE

Within the last twenty years there have been twelve cases in which compensation has been recommended on account of the conviction having been found to be unsatisfactory or wrong. In two of such cases the consequences entailed by the conviction were so serious as to justify the payment of substantial sums. In one case the sum of £5,000 was paid, and in the other the sum of £1,600 was divided between two persons. In the remaining ton eases the compensation paid varied from £1 to £40.

MR. PIKE PEASE (Darlington)

Were free pardons granted in these cases?

*MR. GLADSTONE

I am not sure.