31. Major BARNESasked the Home Secretary whether it has been brought to his notice that, in the case of Nellie, or Trallie, Smith, brought before the magistrates at the Stratford police court on the 12th ultimo, the statement is incorrect that it was impossible to trace either the girl's friends or her address; whether he is aware that within three hours of the girl's arrest, at 11 a.m., two police officers visited the residence of the child's parents; if so, why a child of 14 who was afterwards found to be innocent was kept in custody; whether Section 94 of the Children Act, 1908, was complied with; if so, in what manner; and, if not, what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe statement referred to is correct. The address given by the girl was found to be false. About 3.30, at the suggestion of a local tradesman, the police visited a place occupied by caravans, in which it was eventually found that the girl lived, but they could then get no information about her, though one of the persons questioned proved afterwards to be her sister. The girl was kept in custody because she was charged with theft, nothing could be learned of her home and family, and she herself stated she had been sent by her parents to steal. The police appear to me to have complied with Section 94 of the Children Act, and I do not propose to take any further action in the matter.