§ 28. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Jacob Segal, of the Jewish omnibus company, who was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for being in possession of a revolver, though the judge said that he believed that the defendant carried the weapon for self-defence only; how many Jewish omnibuses have been attacked by armed men during the last three months; and what does he intend to do in the matter?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I have received a report on this case and I understand that the sentence has been reduced to one year's imprisonment. As regards the second part of the question, 30 instances of attack on Jewish omnibuses were reported in the period 1st December, 1937–23rd February, 1938, but only three of these attacks occurred during February, and the only casualty was one Jew slightly wounded. Special measures have now been adopted to combat such attacks.
§ Colonel WedgwoodDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that one year's imprisonment is a proper sentence to pass upon a man for carrying a revolver, when the judge himself said—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order."] May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will revise this sentence, in view of the remark of the magistrate that he believed the man merely carried it in self-defence?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have often made it clear to the House that I have no power, under the Constitution, to revise any sentence.
§ Colonel WedgwoodWill the new High Commissioner have that power?