§ MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with regard to the sentence of fourteen days' imprisonment for disobedience of lawful commands passed, on 23rd October last, by the Barry magistrates on four seamen of the steamship "Taunton," whether any part of this sentence has been remitted; and, if so, upon what grounds.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI advised the remission of the sentence after the men had served one week, as there appeared to me to be reason to believe that the offence charged was due to a bona fide difference of opinion as to what a seaman's proper work is when a ship is taking in cargo; the offence had been committed at Philadelphia in August, 1907.