§ Mr. RICHARDSasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on the 9th instant, at Monmouth, a man named 514W Thomas Lockwood was charged with stealing fowls on 2nd March, 1900, that he pleaded to be dealt with by way of fine and not imprisonment, and was able to show that during the twelve years and more since the commission of the offence he had conducted himself properly and earned an honest livelihood; whether he is aware that the magistrates sent him to prison for a month, with hard labour; and whether he will inquire into the case and see whether justice can be met by a reduced sentence?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have made inquiry in the case. Generally I think a prosecution for a minor offence after the lapse of many years is to be deprecated, but I regret that the circumstances of this case are such as to afford no sufficient reason for advising any reduction of the sentence.