§ 44. Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Secretary for the Home Department whether he is aware that four women, the wives of soldiers on active service, were sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment at Wigan on 1st February on a charge of obtaining money by false pretences from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association; if he can state whether the women had the option of repaying the money before proceedings were taken; and if he can see his way to reduce or quash the sentences?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have made inquiry in these cases, and am informed that the defendants obtained money from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association by falsely pretending that they had not received their separation allowances from the military authorities. The fraud was repeated in each ease for several weeks, and the women stated that they had spent the money, so that they could not have repaid it. The justices, in consideration of the husbands being soldiers, made the sentences as lenient as possible, and I much regret that I cannot advise any reduction.