HC Deb 13 June 1912 vol 39 cc1055-6
70. Mr. KING

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now state the reasons why he refused to revise the sentence passed by the magistrates of Bury, Lancashire, on A. R. Desmond, who was last month convicted in connection with a disturbance arising out of a duly advertised meeting in Bury market place on 7th May last?

Mr. McKENNA

It would be impossible for me to explain by way of question and answer in this House my reasons for advising, or declining to advise, the exercise of the clemency of the Crown in individual cases. I can only say that in this case I could find no sufficient reason for interference with the order of the Justices. The prisoner, however, could have obtained his release at any time by entering into a recognisance to be of good behaviour.