HC Deb 28 July 1897 vol 51 cc1346-7

The sheriff, justices of the peace, or magistrates may in all cases, notwithstanding their being members of the local authority, exercise the jurisdiction vested in them under this Act.

*THE LORD ADVOCATE

proposed to leave out "for any period not exceeding fourteen days," mid to insert "in accordance with the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction Acts."

MR. CALDWELL

said he quite saw what the Lord Advocate's object was in embodying the procedure of the Summary Jurisdiction Acts, but the cases were hardly such as those contemplated by those Acts. Throughout the Bill there was an abstention from giving power of imprisonment, and in cases where it was given it had been put into the hands of the Sheriff's Court. It was a pity to extend the power to magistrates in relation to these offences.

DR. CLARK

said that if the Government would make changes in the law which had been in operation for over 30 years, he thought the House ought to be made aware of why they were snaking those changes. They were now making a revolutionary change, and he would ask the Lord Advocate to give them some reason for it.

*THE LORD ADVOCATE

said he was very sorry he had paid the hon. Member the undeserved compliment of supposing that he had an ordinary memory. This clause was introduced at the instance of hon. Members from the Opposition side of the House. He thought it was the hon. Baronet for the Bridgeton Division who said it was a great pity to have a sliding scale of punishments, and suggested that they should make the Bill to correspond with the Summary Jurisdiction Act. That was hailed with acclamation by those who represented the views of the hon. Member, and he then and there gave a promise to look into the matter and make the Bill in accordance with the Summary Jurisdiction Act. That he had done, and now the hon. Member accused him of making revolutionary changes.

Words inserted.

Clause 154,—