MR. HARVEY LEWISasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, considering the results caused by the partial application of the Act 29 Charles 2, c. 7, against the humblest class of traders in particular localities, and the bad effect of the contradictory action and decisions of the various London magistrates in dealing with prosecutions at the suit of informers under this Act, he will afford an early opportunity for considering the Bill to repeal the said Act, so as to secure a settlement of the question this Session?
§ MR. CHARLEYtook the opportunity of inquiring, Whether it is true, as reported, that Mr. Arnold, the police magistrate, has refused to fine a fishmonger for trading on Sunday, on the pretence of waiting to see what Parliament may do in respect to the Bill of the hon. Member for Leicester (Mr. P. A. Taylor); and, whether it was not the duty of the magistrate on that occasion to put the law in force?
MR. BRUCE, in reply, said, in reference to the last Question, he was not in possession of the facts of the case alluded to. In reply to the Question of the hon. Member for Marylebone, he was as anxious as any hon. Member that the question raised should be discussed as soon as possible. But the hon. Member must be well aware that it was impossible for the Government at that period of the 716 Session to set apart a day for the consideration of that subject. The time at the command of private Members was considerably larger than that at the command of the Government.