§ 84. Sir A. WILSONasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the sentence of two months' hard labour, without the option of a fine, imposed upon two youths of the ages of 17 and 19 years, respectively, for malicious damage to property by the Blaenau Festiniog justices on 14th September, the youths not being legally represented and this being their first offence; and what action he has taken in the matter?
§ Sir J. GILMOURMy attention was called to this case in September, and I immediately called for a report and communicated with the justices, but, after carefully considering both the representations made to me on behalf of these two defendants and a full report on the facts, I decided not to advise interference with the sentences which the justices had thought it right in all the circumstances to impose.
§ Sir A. WILSONWas my right hon. Friend aware, when he made that decision, that these two boys had had no previous conviction whatever, and that the justices have shown by a subsequent public statement that they did not apply their judicial minds either to the question of applying the provisions of the Act—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot, at Question Time, go into the judicial minds of the justices.
§ Sir A. WILSONIn view of the unsatisfactory reply of the Home Secre- 650 tary, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest convenient opportunity.