Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a case tried at the Radcliffe, Lancashire, police-court, when three boys were sent to industrial schools for a period of five years for stealing three eggs from a farm; whether he is aware that on the 3rd instant the father of one of the boys applied to the magistrates to reopen the case, stating that he had evidence to show that the lads found the eggs; that the chairman suggested that he should appeal to quarter sessions; and that the magistrates' clerk pointed out that it was too 1628W late to do this; and whether, under these circumstances, he can see his way to inquire into this case with the object of setting the boys at liberty?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe Secretary of State has made inquiry into this case, but is sorry that he does not find any ground for interference on his part. The boys had all been charged before with larceny, and they are reported to have been members of a gang who were continually committing petty thefts. He agrees with the justices that removal from their previous surroundings and a period of training in a certified school is in the best interests of the boys.