HC Deb 01 July 1948 vol 452 c2344
4. Mr. Collins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the remission of the sentence of three years' Borstal training passed on Peter Green, a conscientious objector, at Chelmsford Quarter Sessions, in view of Mr. Green's previous character and the special circumstances.

Mr. Ede

Green has appealed to the Court of Criminal Appeal against his conviction and sentence and has been released on bail. As the case is still before the courts it would be improper for me to comment on it.

Mr. Collins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this case has caused considerable public concern, and would he say whether there is any precedent for sending a young man of otherwise first-class character to Borstal for an alleged offence of this kind?

Mr. Ede

I should have thought that that was just the kind of comment I ought not to make while the case is sub judice.

Mr. McGovern

Outside the trial of the case, is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the magistrate who tried this man did not show a rather vicious trend of mind?

Mr. Speaker

The case is sub judice, and these questions are undesirable.