HC Deb 20 February 1911 vol 21 cc1533-5
Earl WINTERTON

asked whether, as a result of a recent visit by the right hon. Gentleman to Pentonville Prison, a number of sentences have been reduced and prison punishments remitted?

Mr. CHURCHILL

In the course of a visit to Pentonville in the autumn of last year certain cases of youthful offenders came under my notice, in respect of which I felt myself justified in recommending some small reductions of sentence.

Viscount HELMSLEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the authorities by whom the sentences were imposed?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, I think not.

Earl WINTERTON

Were the sentences reduced of those convicts with whom the right hon. Gentleman had interviews?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Certain cases were brought under my notice. I looked into them, and examined the facts, and from the inquiries I made I felt justified in reducing the sentences, which specifically called attention to the fact of sending to prison boys of sixteen or seventeen for offences which are not offences calling for such punishments.

Earl WINTERTON

Were the names given to the right hon. Gentleman by the prison authorities?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I saw a large number of the prisoners, and I collected certain particulars which justified the course I took.

Viscount HELMSLEY

Will not the right hon. Gentleman, when he remits cases of the kind, communicate with the authorities who imposed the sentences?

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Were these cases of Peers or of Commoners?

Earl WINTERTON

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the prisoners whose sentences were remitted as a result of his recent official visit to Pentonville had been previously interviewed by him; and whether the remission of their sentences was recommended by the governor of the goal?

Mr. CHURCHILL

It is contrary to general practice to enter into any discussion of the grounds on which I have felt it my duty to advise an exercise of the prerogative of mercy or to state whether such advice was tendered in pursuance of the recommendation of a prison officer.

Earl WINTERTON

In order to avoid taking up the time of the House with supplementary questions, I will call attention to this matter on the adjournment of the House to-morrow.