§ 35. Mr. YEOasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that Henry Ray was sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a bottle of milk; whether he is aware that the accused is feeble-minded and has had many convictions for similar petty offences; whether he was sent to prison because the London County Council have not yet made arrangements under the recent Act by which such a method of punishment could be obviated; and what action he proposes to take in the circumstances?
§ Mr. McKENNAMy attention has already been called to this case. Ray has been convicted many times of petty offences, and it was brought 719 to the notice of the learned magistrate that he had been reported as being to some extent feeble-minded in 1912. The magistrate adjourned the case in order that the Asylums Committee of the London County Council might be consulted, and, on being subsequently informed that no institution was at present available in London for mental defectives, he passed a sentence of two months' imprisonment. The prison medical officer is not at present prepared to certify Ray as feebleminded, but the case will be kept under careful observation.
§ Mr. YEOCan the right hon. Gentleman say what was the value of the milk, and what will be the cost to the community of keeping a man in prison who might otherwise be in an asylum?
§ Mr. McKENNAI think that the asylum would be at least as costly as the prison. I am unable to give the value of the milk.
§ Mr. JAMES HOGGEHow much imprisonment would the man have got if this had been a bottle of whisky?
§ Mr. McKENNAI could not say.