§ MR. MACLEAN (Bath)I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks of Judge Amphlett, K.C., at Birmingham, on Monday last, condemning the imprisonment of a lad of sixteen for a debt of 16s in respect of clothes; and whether he can inform the House if the hope held out by the Lord Chancellor of legislation to remedy the existing evils in connection with imprisonment for debt will be fulfilled this session.
§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the statement made by Judge Amphlett at the Birmingham County Court on Monday, that he had found a youth of sixteen, who had been earning 12s or 14s a week in a cycle factory, in prison at Worcester for a debt of 16s., in respect of an order given to a traveler 50 for clothes; and can he say when it is intended to appoint the projected Committee to consider the existing law of imprisonment for debt.
§ MR. GLADSTONEMy attention had not been previously called to the case mentioned, but as I have already stated in answer to a Question in this, House, the Government have decided upon the appointment of a Select Committee on the Imprisonment of Debtors, and this Committee will be appointed in a few days. Pending the Report of that Committee I cannot make any statement as to legislation.