§ Mr. MYERSasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a lad of 16 years 2002W of age has been sentenced to 12 months' hard labour by the Cambridge borough bench for stealing; that the boy had not been previously convicted; and if he has taken any action in the matter?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe lad in question was convicted on five separate charges of larceny, and they were admittedly not his first offences. He is now under the "modified Borstal" system employed at shoe making at Bedford. His release will depend on his conduct and disposition while under the prison authorities, and, having regard to all the facts of the case, I do not think that any interference with the sentence would at present be for his benefit.