§ Sir MAURICE LEVYasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been directed to the sentence of fourteen days' imprisonment by the justices of Market Harbroough upon the Rev. W. H. Hadon, for refusing to pay such portion of the education rate as he supposed was devoted to the teaching of creeds; and if he can see his way to reduce the sentence?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLMy attention has not previously been called to the case. The prisoner would be committed as a debtor; and I have, therefore, no power to reduce the sentence. But I have given instructions that what are known as "Passive Resisters" should be allowed the same mitigations of prison discipline as are permitted, under the rule made last Session, to prisoners convicted of offences not involving dishonesty, cruelty, indecency, or serious violence.