§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he has received a letter, dated March 11, 1888, from Enoch Harper, of Quinton, Staffordshire, making complaint that he was not allowed to appear to a vaccination summons at Halesowen Petty Sessions by a representative, duly authorized in his behalf, under Section 11 of "The Vaccination Act, 1871," and that the Chairman, having refused a hearing to his representative so authorized, proceeded to impose a fine of 20s. and 9s. costs; whether the statements in Enoch Harper's letter are correct; and, whether such fine and costs were legally imposed; and, if not, whether he will take steps to cause the amount of fine and costs to be refunded to Mr. Harper?
§ THE SECRETARY or STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)Yes, Sir; I have received such a letter. The statement is correct that the Bench refused to hear Mr. Harper's representative. Under these circumstances, the proceedings were, in my opinion, irregular; and I have accordingly advised the remission of the fine, and have written to the Justices that the defend- 155 ant should also be re-imbursed the costs.