HC Deb 28 May 1894 vol 24 cc1392-4
MR. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN (Kent, Tunbridge)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the meeting of the Cardiganshire Joint Standing Committee on the 10th of May last, when it appears that a report was read from the Chief Constable that Robert Lewis, the County Court bailiff, was, while levying tithes, assaulted in the presence of the police by two persons who were well known to the police, but that no proceedings had been taken by the police; that it was proposed by the Chairman of Quarter Sessions and seconded by the Lord Lieutenant that proceedings should be taken for assault, but that this proposal was thrown out by the County Council members of the Joint Committee; and that it Was further proposed by the Lord Lieutenant that in all future cases when assaults are committed in the presence of the police the Chief Constable be instructed to take proceedings, but that this proposal was opposed as being out of order by the County Council members, and no decision arrived at; and whether, in view of the serious condition of affairs in Cardiganshire, and the refusal of the Joint Standing Committee to act, he will give direct orders to the Chief Constable, from the Home Office, to take proceedings in such cases, and to take other steps necessary to ensure the carrying out of the law?

MR. ASQUITH

I am informed that there were present at the meeting of the Standing Joint Committee 11 Quarter Session members and 11 County Council members, and the Chairman, who was elected at the meeting for the ensuing year, was a Quarter Session member. The resolution moved by the Chairman of the Quarter Sessions, which was to the effect stated by the hon. Member, was not thrown out by the votes of the County Council members; but it having been pointed out that the men who committed the assaults on the bailiff had been proceeded against already in the County Court and punished, the resolution was withdrawn in favour of that moved by the Lord Lieutenant, to which the hon. Member refers. No vote was taken on this second resolution, as the Chairman ruled that it was necessary that notice should be given, and the Lord Lieutenant thereupon gave notice that he should move the resolution at the next meeting. Having regard to these facts, I do not think there is any reason for my taking any action in the matter.

MR. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Arising out of that answer, may I ask whether it is not the case that action was only taken in the County Court because the police refused to take action; whether it is not the fact that the County Council members of the Standing Joint Committee persistently refused every effort to have the law carried out; and whether the Home Secretary cannot suggest any mode to compel them to carry out the law?

MR. ASQUITH

The latest information furnished to me is that the law is being carried out most effectually.

MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON (Shropshire, Oswestry)

Is it not the case that the County Council Members who voted on this question are also members of the Anti-Tithe League, and will the right hon. Gentleman take any steps in future to prevent those persons who are particeps criminis from taking part in these proceedings?

MR. ASQUITH

The Standing Joint Committee is an elected body, and I have no power over them whatever.

MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are no less than 118 orders of the County Court still unexecuted, and will he take any steps to vindicate the law?

MR. ASQUITH

I should like notice of that question.