28. Lieut.-Colonel LAMBERT WARDasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of a man who was arrested, tried, and convicted at Christchurch, Hampshire, for having begged and obtained a little hot water, and whether he will consider the sentence with a view to remission?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI find on inquiry that complaints have been received by the local police that vagrants discharged from the casual ward at Christchurch at once begin begging, to the annoyance of residents, although they are always provided with a hot meal immediately before discharge. The man referred to admitted begging within an hour after discharge. The Court, who I think are the best judge of the circumstances, imposed a penalty of one day's detention on condition that the prisoner left the district at once. That meant that he was free on the termination of the sitting of the Court, and no question of remission of sentence arises.