HC Deb 08 February 1911 vol 21 cc274-6
Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police authorities have discovered the whereabouts of a Welsh shepherd, named David Davies, recently released from Dartmoor Prison by his order and stationed on a farm at Ruthin, Denbighshire; whether he has left the employment that was found for him; and under what conditions was he sent to Ruthin?

Mr. STAVELEY-HILL

asked whether there was any information as to the where abouts of Davies, for whom, on his recent release from Dartmoor Prison, employment as a shepherd was found near Wrexham, in which employment he remained for one day; and what steps are being taken to find this man?

Captain FABER

asked whether David Evans, the shepherd, who was released from Dartmoor and who disappeared after two days from the farm near Ruthin, is still at large; and whether, if he is found, he is to be detained?

Mr. LONSDALE

asked whether the Secretary of State had any information as to the present whereabouts of David Evans, or Davies, who was released by his order from Dartmoor, and subsequently disappeared from the situation in which he was placed?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Churchill)

The licence granted to David Davies contained the following special conditions:— He shall remain in the situation found for him by the Royal Society for the Assistance of Discharged Prisoners for not, less than six months, unless he obtains the permission of the Society to leave it or is dismissed by his employer. Two days after his arrival at the farm he disappeared. Search has been made both by the local police and by an officer sent from London, but he has not yet been traced. By breaking the condition of his licence he has rendered himself liable either to summary conviction or to have his licence revoked, and any person who has aided him in breaking the condition is also liable to conviction. I shall decide what course is to be taken with regard to him when I have ascertained the circumstances in which he left the farm.

Mr. J. W. SPEAR

As this man Davies was in my Constituency, may I ask was the judge who sentenced him consulted before he was liberated?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No; he was sentenced at Quarter Sessions, and I did not consult the judge who sentenced him.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

As this man has descended from my hon. Friend's Constituency to mine, may I ask the Home Secretary if he is taking any steps to find him and what steps are being taken for bringing him to summary conviction?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am not taking any special steps; but if either of the hon. Gentlemen or anybody upon the other side of the House can assist me in any way with any information I shall be very much obliged, as I am very anxious that this old man should be well looked after.

Mr. STAVELEY-HILL

As this person is now on ticket-of-leave, will the right hon. Gentleman see that the ordinary process takes place by which a person who does not report himself is sought after by the police?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Certainly, with the fullest vigour that can be put into operation.

Captain FABER

The next time this gentle shepherd is caught will he be kept in custody or released again?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I will deal with the case when I ascertain all the circumstances by which he left his employment.

Sir HENRY DALZIEL

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the granting of freedom to this old man has done any harm to him?

Mr. REMNANT

It did a lot of good at the election time.

Sir CLEMENT HILL

asked how many convicts under The Prevention of Crimes Act, 1908, have been released on licence since he began to look into its working in the early part of last year; on what conditions David Davies, known as the Dartmoor shepherd, was released; whether the police have been able to trace him since he left his last employment; whether, if recaptured, the sentence passed upon him will be carried out; what expenses have been caused by his release; and on what public funds they will fall?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have already answered the greater part of this question. David Davies is the only convict sentenced to preventive detention who has yet been released on licence. The cost of sending him to Ruthin will be paid from the Prison Vote just as it would have been paid if he had been released on the expiry of his sentence.