HC Deb 02 December 1908 vol 197 cc1452-3
MR. CROOKS

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of John James Jelly, heard at the Workington Police Court on 25th November, who was proved to be in great poverty from unemployment and had a dying child, and that there was neither fire nor food in his house, who was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment for stealing coal of the value of 2s. 2d., the defence being that he could not get a ticket for work and wanted the coppers to buy milk for his child; and will he take steps to reduce the sentence.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.

I am making inquiries into this case, but they are not yet; completed. I will let the hon. Member know the result.

MR. SWIFT MACNEIL (Donegal, S.)

Why not telegraph for the information? This unfortunate man is suffering all the time.