§ 35. Mrs. COPELANDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will inquire into the case of Lawrence Smith who, in March, 1935, was convicted at Stoke-on-Trent Quarter Sessions on a charge of fraudulent conversion and sentenced to 15 months' hard labour, and whose conviction, on 14th May, was quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal and whether he will consider if this case calls for compensation to be paid, in view of the fact that Lawrence Smith was in custody for six weeks on remand and served 10 weeks of the sentence pronounced upon him, and has, in consequence, lost his entire business?
§ Major GEORGE DAVIES (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply My right hon. Friend is not aware that there is anything in this case to distinguish it from others in which a person has appealed successfully against a conviction by a lower court, and he knows of no grounds on which he would be justified in recommending that any grant should be made to Mr. Smith from public funds.
§ Mrs. COPELANDI beg leave to say that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment, at the earliest possible moment.