§ MR. BOTTOMLEY (Hackney, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on 28th April last, Frederick Smith, a labourer, of 26, Spencer Road, Stoke Newington, was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment for non-payment of arrears of 1s. a week which he had been ordered to pay towards the maintenance of his son, Frederick Smith, in the Carlton Reformatory at Bedford; what explanation can be given of the taking of such proceedings in view of the fact that the man was at the time unable to pay such a contribution by reason of ill-health and unemployment; and whether he will take steps to have the order rescinded.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTT (Mr. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.The order to contribute was made on the 27th of September last. As Smith took no notice of the order he was summoned in February, but the case was twice adjourned for a month in order to give an opportunity of paying. As he did not carry out his promises to pay, a 1708 commitment was issued on 24th April. Every consideration has been shown to this man, who has made no representations of ill-health, and I am not preppared to take any action in the matter.