§ Captain C. S. Taylor(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the case of Mrs. L. Sturton, of the Hartington Private Hotel, Marine Parade, Eastbourne, the particulars of which have been furnished to his Department, and whether, in view of the fact that Mrs. Sturton was on Friday last sentenced to two months' imprisonment for what is little more than a technical Customs offence, he will remit the penalty?
§ Sir J. AndersonI had already called for a report on this case. My inquiries are not yet complete, but I hope to be in a position to communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend very shortly.
§ Captain TaylorIs my right hon. Friend aware that I handed to the Parliamentary Private Secretary, on Wednesday last, a letter from the husband of Mrs. Sturton?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir, I am aware of that, but I do not know that that gives any ground for complaint, because inquiries in cases of this kind must take time. This woman was not sentenced, as suggested, on Friday last. She was ordered on 9th August to pay a fine of, I think, £75 and in default to go to prison on 16th August. She was given permission to pay the fine by instalments. These details are hardly consistent with the view that the offence was nothing more than a technical Customs offence. I must have time to go into the matter.
§ Captain TaylorWould it not be more reasonable to suspend judgment until after the inquiries have been made?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe exercise of the Prerogative is not to be invoked at a moment's notice in cases of this kind. The Home Secretary is not in any sense a court of appeal, but when representations are made they must be considered. I have merely given the facts which are apparent on the face of the case.