§ 38. Mr. Brookeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, to mark the Coronation of His Majesty, he will consider in what cases there might 2162 be a remission of sentence and advise accordingly?
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir John Simon)No, Sir. There is a regular system by which prisoners earn remission by good conduct and industry, and proposals involving special clemency to persons who happen to be serving sentences of imprisonment on a particular date are open to obvious objection.
§ Mr. BrookeIs it not the fact that on the occasion of the Coronation of the late King Edward VII and the late King George V special remissions of sentence were given; and can the right hon. Gentleman say why these precedents are not to be followed on this occasion?
§ Sir J. SimonI do not know about past precedents, but the recent precedents are all the other way. I was asked a question in connection with the Jubilee of King George V, and I think that the general sense of the House was that the modern rule should be observed.
§ Mr. LoganIf consideration is to be given with regard to remissions of sentence, may not cases at Borstal also be considered?