§ Sir J. WITHERSasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a sentence which was recently passed by a magistrate at Dorchester on Stephen Bennis, under which the prisoner was sentenced to a month's imprisonment for throwing a, packet of tobacco into 513W the prison; and whether he will make an inquiry into the circumstances of the case?
§ Mr. SHORTMy right hon. Friend has made inquiry and finds that the man in question, immediately on release from a previous sentence, bought two ounces514W of tobacco and threw it over the prison wall into the exercise ground. He was prosecuted and sentenced as stated. The penalty provided by statute for improperly introducing tobacco into any prison is imprisonment not exceeding six months, or a fine not exceeding £20, or both.