§ MR. W. THORNE (West Ham, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the sentences passed by Sir Ralph Littler at the September Middlesex Sessions upon two labourers, one aged twenty-one, who had stolen apples to the value of 1s., was sentenced to three years penal servitude and two years police supervision, and another labourer, aged forty, was sentenced to twelve months hard labour for stealing three penny eggs; and whether he can see his way to have the sentences reduced.
§ MR. HERBERT SAMUELMy right hon. friend is making inquiry with regard to these cases, but I would remind the hon. Member that under the Criminal Appeal Act of last year a prisoner convicted on indictment can apply to the Court of Criminal Appeal for leave to appeal against his sentence if he alleges that it is excessive.
§ *MR. REESWill the right hon. Gentleman also inquire whether these labourers were taking the advice of the hon. Member for West Ham?
§ MR. W. THORNEI wish some of them would.
§ MR. H. C. LEA (St. Pancras, E.)In view of the severity, not to say brutality, of the sentences inflicted by this magistrate, cannot the Home Secretary pension him off as soon as possible?
§ *MR. G. D. FABER (York)Was the labourer, aged forty, who was sentenced to twelve months hard labour found guilty of robbing a hen-roost?
§ [No Answer was returned.]