§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, in view of the fact that the prosecution in July last (of certain gipsies infesting Epping Forest, and carrying on the unlawful practices of blackmailing, extortion, and assault) was obviously undertaken in the public interest; and, whether, inasmuch as he has admitted the said prosecution to be "a necessary one and useful in the interests of the public," he will recommend that the costs amounting to £45 be paid out of funds available for the purpose and distributed by the Public Prosecutor?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.), in reply, said, he was not aware of the occasion on which he had made the admission suggested by the hon. Member, nor did he think he had given any promise such as that mentioned in the Question. What he did promise was that he would make application to the Treasury, and he had done so; but he found that the existing Rule governing such cases prevented any action being taken. He had no power to direct the Public Prosecutor to take action.