§ 23. Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the appeal of Julia Decies, who was fried at the Central Criminal Court on 4th March, will be heard; if he is aware that the jury, in finding the prisoner guilty, strongly recommended her to mercy and that Mr. Justice Darling awarded seven years' penal servitude; and whether, in view of the health of the prisoner and the whole of the circumstances of the offence, he can see his way to recommend a remission of the sentence?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)I am informed that the application will probably come before the Court of Criminal Appeal on Monday next. While the matter is sub judice I cannot answer any question.
§ Mr. W. THORNEI beg to give notice that I shall repeat the question to-morrow week.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLMay I ask whether Mr. Gladstone, when Home Secretary, when this Court of Appeal was being established, again and again said that its provisions should not interfere with the exercise of the Prerogative?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, but that does not arise on this particular question.