§ 38. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the sentence of two years' imprisonment passed by the presiding judge at Winchester Assizes recently upon Albert Davies, a private soldier, who was charged with masquerading in public dressed as a woman; and, in view of the fact that Davies was returning from a fancy dress ball, for which he had a pass from his commanding officer, whether he will look into this case with a view of recommending a remission of this sentence?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe offence of which Davies was convicted was not that of masquerading as a woman, but one of a much more serious character. I have no reason to suppose the sentence was excessive.
§ Mr. MORRISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that on the day that this heavy sentence was passed on a private soldier, a colonel from Wolverhampton, who stole £12,000, was sentenced to nine months in the second division How can he explain the disparity in these sentences?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not see what bearing one case has upon the other.