HC Deb 20 February 1891 vol 350 cc1236-7
MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge having sentenced Kate Elsdon to 21 days' imprisonment for the alleged offence of street walking, and that the trial of the girl took place in private, without evidence on oath and without the presence of a clerk; whether he will consider the expediency of bringing in a Bill to put an end to the jurisdiction of the Vice Chancellor over the inhabitants of Cambridge who are not members of the University; whether he has observed that Mr. Baron Pollock sentenced this girl to 21 days' imprisonment for escaping from the prison of the University; and whether he will consider of granting her a free pardon?

MR. MATTHEWS

I have seen a newspaper report of the case in question The Vice Chancellor's Court at Cambridge is a Court of Record, which has existed for several centuries under the authority of Royal Charters confirmed by Act of Parliament; and recent decisions of the Supreme Court have recognised that its peculiar restraining jurisdiction over certain classes of the female inhabitants of Cambridge who are not members of the University, Was necessary for the preservation of discipline and morals and the prevention of the disorder which the age and disposition of the younger students would tend to produce. I do not think it expedient to introduce a Bill to destroy their jurisdiction. As to the particular case of Kate Elsdon I will communicate with the learned Judge.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Will the right hon. Gentleman introduce a Bill to secure to these unfortunate persons a public trial, and evidence given on oath?

MR. MATTHEWS

The jurisdiction of the Vice Chancellor's Court has been reviewed elaborately by the Supreme Court on more than one occasion.

MR. LABOUCHERE

I am not asking about the Supreme Court; I do not care a sixpence about the Supreme Court; what I ask is whether the right hon. Gentleman, as a Member of this House, considers it right and proper that the trial of any person should be conducted in private, and that person sent to prison without having counsel, and with nobody present but the Vice Chancellor and a couple of bulldogs, and without evidence given on oath?

MR. MATTHEWS

I do not consider it to be any part of my duty to inquire into the manner in which any lawfully-constituted Court exercises its jurisdiction where no abuses have been brought to my notice.