§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the case of an ex-soldier named Cook, who has been committed by the Hampstead bench to prison for a month for arrears of payment for the maintenance of his son in a reformatory; and whether, in view of the fact that the man was out of work and the indigent condition of his family, he will review this sentence?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONMy right hon. Friend's attention has been called to the case. An order for 10s. a week was made by the Hendon magistrates in November last when they had full information as to the man's circumstances. I am informed that since that date Cook has been in regular employment, his earnings averaging over £3 a week up to the beginning of the present month. He has made no payment under the order beyond the costs of the order, although it would appear that he was able to pay. The magistrates were not asked to enforce the order until after a special inquiry had been made by one of the agents of the Chief "Inspector of Reformatory and Industrial Schools.