§ Mr. TOUCHEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can recommend the exercise of the clemency of the Crown in the case of John Syme, formerly an inspector in the Metro- 1572 politan Police Force, who was sentenced on 4th July, 1911, to six months' imprisonment, and secure his release, having regard to his fifteen years of faithful service and excellent character in the police, and to the facts that the threat which he was convicted of making was admittedly made for the purpose of calling attention to his grievances, and that the jury expressed the opinion that he did not intend to carry out the threat?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLFull consideration appears to have been given by the judge who passed sentence on this prisoner to the pleas that may be urged in extenuation of his offence, and in particular to the plea that the threat to murder was made in order to draw attention to what the defendant believed to be his grievances and without intention to carry it into effect. I find no sufficient ground for recommending any reduction of the sentence.