HC Deb 08 March 1881 vol 259 cc540-1
MR. BURT

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been called to the report of a case which appeared in the "Norwich News" of February 26th, in which the Trustees of the Long Strutton District Amalgamated League Sick Benefit Society applied to the county court judge for an order to compel the treasurer of the Society to give up the banking book? In the course of the proceedings, the judge is reported to have asked "if the Society had anything to do with the movement with which Mr. Arch was connected." A reply having been given in the affirmative, he said "he should show no mercy to Arch and his lot, as they were a pest to society;" and, whether he can state if the words quoted were used by the judge; and, if so, whether he would deem it right to ask him to refrain from remarks of this character?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

Sir, this is a matter under the immediate cognizance of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor. I am in communication with him on the subject, and I hope my hon. Friend will postpone his Question for a day or two.