HC Deb 14 April 1910 vol 16 cc1419-20
Mr. WILLIAM THORNE

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the sentence passed by the Hay-ward's Heath Bench on a boy named Charles Bulbeck, aged twelve years, namely, six strokes with the birch, to be followed by seven years' detention in a reformatory school, during which time his father will have to pay 2s. 6d. per week for his maintenance, and the father also to pay £1 9s. 11d. costs, the offence being stealing a piece of coal value 5d.; if he is aware that the boy had not previously been charged: and if he intends taking action in the matter?

Mr. GINNELL

asked the Home Secretary if he will give the names of the magistrates who, at Hayward's Heath, last Monday, sentenced a boy of twelve years to four years in a reformatory and other punishment for having stolen coal worth 5d.; whether the boy's two parents are living; what is their character; whether their boy will be restored to them with some rational punishment; and whether the Lord Chancellor will be asked to reconsider the fitness of those magistrates for the commission of the peace?

Mr. HUDSON

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the decision of the Hayward's Heath magistrates on the 11th instant, when a boy of twelve years of age, a first offender, was sentenced to receive a punishment of six strokes with the birch rod, and afterwards to be sent to a reformatory school until he reaches the age of nineteen years, a period of seven years, for stealing a piece of coal valued 5d., and his father, who pleaded for the boy, was ordered to pay £1 9s. 11d. costs, and also to contribute the sum of 2s. 6d. per week towards the boy's maintenance whilst in the reformatory school; whether the boy has been birched; and what steps, if any, he will take to mitigate this sentence?

Major WHITE

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the action of the Hayward's Heath Bench of magistrates in sentencing Charles Bulbeck, a boy of twelve, to detention in a reformatory for seven years, and to receive six strokes with the birch rod, for stealing a lump of coal value 5d., the father being ordered further to contribute to the boy's maintenance in the reformatory, and to pay £1 9s. 11d. costs; and, if so, whether he will take any action in the matter?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have received from the justices this morning a report in which they say that they desire to send the boy, not to a reformatory, but to an industrial school. The report does not fully explain how the case now stands, but it is clear that he has been convicted and has received the birching to which he was sentenced. In my opinion this is adequate punishment for the offence, and any further term of detention to which he may be sentenced should be remitted. I have accordingly given telegraphic instructions for his discharge and for his being returned to his parents this afternoon.

Mr. GINNELL

Will the Lord Chancellor be asked to reconsider the fitness of these magistrates for the commission of the peace?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No; I do not propose to address a recommendation to the Lord Chancellor.