§ 41. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that William Morrell, 92, Chapel Street, Ancoats (or 107, Redbank), Manchester, a disabled pensioner, suffering from consumption, was recently sentenced to two months' imprisonment by the local magistrates and that, after he had served his sentence, it was discovered that, owing to a clerical error committed by an officer of the court, he had been wrongly convicted; whether, owing to this miscarriage of justice, he will cause an inquiry to be made into the case with a view of expunging the conviction from the records and thereby protecting the man's future; and whether, if he has no power to expunge the conviction from the records, he will take steps to seek such power and to compensate the person who has suffered?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe hon. Member is mistaken in thinking there was a conviction in this case. It was the case of a man ordered to pay for the maintenance of his wife and children. I have no authority to intervene in regard to it, but I am inquiring into the facts and will let the hon. Member know the result.
§ Lieut.-Colonel NALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that another case of a man wrongfully imprisoned was brought to his notice quite recently, and if there is no redress in these cases will he take steps to amend the law?
§ Mr. DAVIESIf the Home Secretary finds that an error was committed in this case will he see that the record of the conviction is expunged?
§ Mr. SHORTTThis is not a case of a conviction. For any redress that is required, he must go to the court. The Home Office has no authority in such cases.