Mr. POINTERasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of a Post Office servant named Harry Holmes, who was recently sentenced to six months' hard labour at the Birmingham Assizes for stealing a postal packet; whether, as a consequence of a serious cycling accident, it has been necessary for the postal authorities to inquire on two occasions into his mental fitness; whether since his arrest his wife has committed suicide, after killing her child; and, if so, whether he will recommend that the sentence should be reduced?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have had this case under my notice. It appears that the judge had before him the fact that the prisoner's wife had killed her child and committed suicide, and reduced by one-half the sentence he would otherwise have passed; and I do not find any sufficient ground for recommending a further reduction of sentence. The prisoner is reported to be in good health: he describes himself as feeling well and says that since the accident referred to, which occurred three years ago, he has not been off duty on account of illness except on one occasion in February last.
Mr. POINTERMay I ask whether, in view of the conflicting evidence at the trial as to the mental fitness of this man, the right hon. Gentleman will order a 1817 special inquiry in order to ascertain whether or not, and how far, he was responsible for his acts?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAll such cases as these are watched from day to day. In this case the reports are good both as to the man's mental and his general physical health.