§ 12. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Frederick Walter Baugh, a boy of 15, a first offender, who bore a good character, was recently sentenced to 21 days' hard labour at Deal Quarter Sessions for breaking into premises and stealing a quantity of tobacco and cigarettes; and on what grounds a first offender under 10 years of age was, contrary to the usual practice, committed to prison?
Mr. HENDERSONMy attention has already been called to this case, and I have been in communication with the Recorder of Deal, who reports that he committed the boy to prison as he regarded him as being of so unruly a character that he could not be detained in a place of detention provided under the Children Act, and that he gave a certificate to that affect, as required by Section 102 (3) of the Children Act.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEHas the right hon. Gentleman followed the reports of the case, from which it will he seen that the boy was given an exceptionally good character, and that it was suggested by the evidence that it was merely 1432 as an escapade by a child that he was taking this step?
Mr. HENDERSONYes, I have followed it, and am not very satisfied that this was the case, or the sort of case that the Legislature had in mind when this Section of the Act was passed.