§ MR. STEADMAN (Finsbury, Central)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that Mr. A. V. Saunders, a ratepayer of Chelsea for over twenty years, who recently made default in payment for the first time, of one rate, was committed to Brixton prison for three months for non-payment of a relatively small sum; and whether, in view of the circumstances of the case, he will consider the advisability of remitting the unexpired part of this sentence.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone)I have not heard of the case to which the hon. Member refers. The Crown has no power to reduce a sentence of imprisonment passed for non-payment of rates. Application can be made with the consent of the borough council, to two justices in petty sessions that the defaulter may be excused payment of the rate, under Section 11 of 54 Geo. 3, cap. 170, but I have no jurisdiction in the matter.