HC Deb 03 April 1908 vol 187 cc812-3
MR. REMNANT (Finsbury, Holborn)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Elizabeth Pelosi, of 17, Baker's Row, Holborn, who was sentenced on 14th March by Mr. Mead at Marlborough Street Police Court to a month's imprisonment, and recommended by him for deportation, for playing an organ in the streets accompanied by her child of two years old, which, according to the magistrate, seemed to have been well treated; and whether, seeing it was her first offence and that she has several children depending on her, he will cancel the remainder of the sentence.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I have gone very carefully into all the circumstances of this case, hut, as I informed the hon. Member in a letter of yesterday's date, I have not seen my way to recommending His Majesty to remit any portion of the sentence passed by the magistrate. It is to be observed that the conviction was not as stated in the Question, but for the offence of causing a child to be in the streets for the purpose of inducing the giving of alms. I have, however, felt justified in deciding not to make the expulsion order which was recommended in addition to the sentence, and to allow the woman to remain in this country.