§ 26. Mr. BYRNEasked the Home Secretary if he will have inquiries made into the case of the boy William Derrington, aged sixteen and a half years, at present in Wormwood Scrubbs undergoing a sentence of twelve months' hard labour; if he is aware that this boy was only a member of the rank and file of the Irish Volunteers; and if, having regard to his age, he will order his discharge?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has asked me to answer this question. This youth was taken amongst other per-sons when the Mendicity Institute was assaulted by a party of troops on the 26th of April. There was heavy firing from this building, and a number of casualties among the troops resulted. Derrington's age was taken into account by the Court, and a much lighter sentence was passed on him than on the other prisoners, and the sentence awarded was subsequently reduced by the General Officer Commanding-in—Chief in Ireland. The sentence will be brought forward for review at a later date.
§ Mr. LYNCHMay I ask if the imprisonment of a boy of sixteen years is calculated not to eliminate the Sinn Feiners but to increase them?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a question on which the hon. Member can make up his own mind.