§ Mr. THOMASasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of two railway-wagon examiners named Saddington and Ketteringham, who were charged at Hull Petty Sessions on the 17th January, 1916, with attempting to steal 25 lb. of bacon, and were sentenced to six months' imprisonment; and, in view of the fact that the evidence of the principal witnesses for the prosecution was contradictory, and also having regard to the good records of the prisoners and their service in the employment of the railway company, twenty-three and seventeen years respectively, whether he will intervene and grant a mitigation of this sentence?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe prisoners, who were tried at Quarter Sessions on the 28th of January, had, under the Criminal Appeal Act, a right to apply without cost to themselves to the Court of Criminal Appeal for leave to appeal against their conviction or sentence, and thereupon the evidence for the prosecution might have been reviewed by the competent tribunal. I cannot take the place of1398W the Court of Criminal Appeal, but I will consult the Recorder on the cases and inform my hon. Friend of the result.