§ MR. SUMMERBELLTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the shooting of a child named Emily Cullum, aged eleven years, at Ingrave, by a boy named Ernest Biggs, aged twelve and a half years, by firing off a rifle used for the scaring of birds; and, if so, can he state whether he is prepared to take steps to prevent the giving of loaded firearms by employers to boys of such tender years.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the remarks of Mr. Justice Grantham in sentencing a boy of twelve and a half years to three mouths' imprisonment at Ingrave, namely, that it was fortunate for the employer there were no means of putting him into the dock, for the life of the child was sacrificed by his extraordinary conduct in giving the boy the rifle; and, if so, and in view of all the circumstances, can he state whether he is prepared to recommend the immediate discharge of the lad.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I will consider this case as soon as I am in possession of all the facts and have had time to consult the Judge, but I am not at present in a position to express any opinion about it.