Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the extradition aspect of the case of Franz Von Veltheim, who was convicted on 12th February, 1908, of demanding money with menaces from Solomon Baa1-nato Joel, and sentenced to 20 years' penal servitude; whether he is aware that Von Veltheim was outside the King's jurisdiction at the date of the alleged offence, and that he was sentenced two months before the Court of Criminal Appeal was established; whether the new evidence which has been procured since his conviction has been considered; and if he will give the evidence which is now available his personal attention, with the view to some remission of the sentence of 20 years' penal servitude?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEI have carefully considered the case of Von Veltheim in all its aspects. The fact that Von Veltheim was outside His Majesty's dominions, at the time when he sent the blackmailing letter, appeared in evidence, and was consequently fully before the Court which tried 1081 him. Representations by and on behalf of the prisoner have been received in my Department since his conviction, and I have given them my careful consideration, but I am unable to find any grounds for advising any remission of his sentence.
§ Mr. BELLOCIs it not the fact that after the trial was over a certain amount of evidence was put in by the police likely to prejudice the prisoner, considering the character of the judge who tried the case? [Cries of "Oh! Oh!"]
§ Mr. SPEAKERI did not quite catch the last remark of the hon. Member, but I am very doubtful if it would be admissible. Perhaps he will put it on the Paper.
§ Mr. BELLOCI will do so.