§ Mr. BYLESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the punishment of John Byrnes, sentenced at the Middlesex Sessions to 12 strokes of the lash and 12 months' imprisonment, is. still under the consideration of the Home Office; whether the offence was only that of an old man asking for charity; and whether, therefore, in the interests of humanity, he will cancel or reduce the sentence?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe Secretary of State has advised the remission of that portion of the sentence which imposed corporal punishment. In view of the fact that the prisoner had in all 35 previous convictions for begging, and had several times previously been convicted as an incorrigible rogue, and was on this occasion drunk as well as engaged in begging, the Secretary of State finds no sufficient reason for recommending any further interference.