HC Deb 14 December 1911 vol 32 cc2524-5
Mr. HODGE

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to a case at Luton where an old man named Amos Burgess, in receipt of an old age pension, was sent to prison for seven days with hard labour without the option of a fine for an alleged theft of coal valued at six-pence; whether he is aware that the man stated that he found the coal on his allotment and was about to remove it when the constable appeared; whether he is also aware that the constable has been unable to discover the owner of the coal; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, he can take any action that will prevent the man in question being deprived of his pension?

Mr. McKENNA

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent in regard to this case on Tuesday last. I will send him a copy.

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