HC Deb 31 July 1930 vol 242 cc678-9
20. Mr. LOVAT-FRASER

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the case of a boy of 16 years of age who was recently convicted of stealing a bicycle at Leicester and sentenced to six months' imprisonment, although he had never been previously convicted; and whether he will consider this case with a view to the reduction of the sentence?

25. Mr. KINLEY

asked the Home Secretary if he has received a resolution from the Liverpool city justices with reference to the case of Matthew Rolison, 16 years of age, who was sentenced to six months' hard labour for a first offence; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. CLYNES

I have received the resolution passed by the Liverpool Justices, and I have given the whole case my most careful consideration. The question I have had to consider is not whether imprisonment could be avoided for this boy. He had been in prison over a month when my attention was first drawn to the case, and I have of course no power to substitute for a sentence of imprisonment some other adjudication. The only question for me was whether there were any considerations, including the consideration of the boy's own interests, which would have justified me in recommending a reduction of the length of the sentence. After full inquiry and anxious deliberation I came to the conclusion that the best thing in the circumstances was to utilise so far as possible the period of imprisonment for training the boy. He and other young prisoners are kept separate from the adult prisoners and arrangements are made for their special treatment. The Young Prisoners' Committee at Liverpool Prison has also been asked to give special consideration to this case and to co-operate with the local Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society with a view, if possible, to finding him suitable employment on his discharge. I shall ask later for a report on the boy's progress.

Mr. KINLEY

Will the Home Secretary not agree that it is an evil thing that a sentence of six months' imprisonment should have been inflicted for a first offence; and will he not, as Home Secretary, try to see that the prison contact shall be reduced to a minimum?

Mr. CLYNES

It would be improper for me to express an opinion on the decision of the court, but the meaning of the concluding words of my reply is that, when I receive this further report from Liverpool, I shall take into consideration the point of view expressed.