§ 22. Mr. FREEMANasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of George Austin, of Camborne, Cornwall, aged 80, who has already served 35 years in gaol and has been recently sentenced to a further six months' hard labour; and whether he will review the sentence and consider some other treatment of this case?
§ Mr. CLYNESThis case had not previously come to my notice. I find that according to the records this man, who is now about 80 years of age, has been convicted on over 40 occasions, and in a large number of different names, from 1883 onwards, the offences being mostly larceny or attempted larceny. I am having some further inquiries made; and if in the meantime the hon. Member has any suggestion to offer, I should be glad if he would communicate with me.
§ Mr. FREEMANCan my right hon. Friend say whether on this occasion this offence was only an attempt and that there was no actual crime, and will he find some home in which this man can spend the last few years of his life?
§ Mr. CLYNESI could not go into the merits of that part of the question without notice. I can only say that in these instances many things are done to offer homes and opportunities for rest.
§ Mr. CULVERWELLWill the right hon. Gentleman recall to mind the case of the Dartmoor shepherd?