HC Deb 15 June 1888 vol 327 cc247-8
MR. CAINE (Barrow-in-Furness)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If the fresh evidence has yet been forthcoming against Mr. John Mara, detained on remand by Mr. Newton on the charge of picking pockets, made against him on June 2 by two detectives; if he could state what was the evidence on which Mr. Mara was arrested and remanded; what is the nature of the expected evidence for which he is detained, who are the witnesses for whom the police are now searching, and have they yet been found; if they are not yet found, how long a time is it customary to detain prisoners on suspicion of committing a crime against whom no evidence justifying committal or conviction is forthcoming; on what ground did Mr. Newton refuse the bail that has already been tendered; is there any limit to the powers of the police to arrest on suspicion; if so, what are those limits; is there any limit to the powers of a police magistrate to remand waiting further evidence; and, will he lay upon the Table of the House the notes of the evidence given in Mr. Newton's Court at Marlborough Street in this case?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)

I am informed by the magistrate that the case will be further heard to-morrow. Mara was remanded on evidence which, in the opinion of the magistrate, made out a primâ facie case of attempting to pick the pockets of ladies at a crossing in Hyde Park. The magistrate does not know the nature of the evidence which will be given to-morrow. He informs me that it is customary to detain a prisoner charged with an offence of this nature until all the evidence is heard. The magistrate, in the exercise of his discretion, refused bail after hearing the evidence. The police have by statute the power to arrest any person whom they have good cause to suspect of having committed, or being about to commit, a felony. The power to remand is entirely within the magistrate's discretion. I must decline to lay the notes of evidence on the Table of the House, as the hon. Member will feel that it would be most improper that the House of Commons should interfere with the discretion of a magistrate in dealing with a part-heard case in a Court of criminal jurisdiction.

MR. CAINE

asked, on what ground the magistrate had refused bail?

MR. MATTHEWS

said, it was in the exercise of his discretion.

MR. CAINE

gave Notice that he would repeat the Question on Monday.