§ SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)On behalf of the hon. Member for the Walton Division of Liverpool, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government will reconsider its decision not to compensate Mr. Edalji, having regard to the fact that the verdict of the jury was unsatisfactory and that, by reason of this verdict, he has undergone imprisonment and suffered professional ruin.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.No, Sir. I have most carefully considered all the facts of the case, but I have found it impossible to come to any other conclusion than that which has already been made public.
§ SIR GILBERT PARKERasked whether there was any precedent for compensation not being granted to a prisoner wrongfully imprisoned and who had received a so-called free pardon.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI know of no analogous case.
MR. PIKE PEASEasked whether by a free pardon was meant, in the opinion of the Home Office, that Mr. Edalji did not commit the crime with which he was charged, and for which he had suffered imprisonment.
§ [No Answer was returned.]