§ MR. HARWOODOn behalf of the hon. Member for Pontefract, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that recently the City Chamberlain sentenced two boys, serving as apprentices to Messrs. Eyre and Spottiswoode, to fourteen days" solitary confinement at Bridewell for trifling offences connected with the breaking of their indentures; whether he will state to the House by virtue of what authority the City Chamberlain has jurisdiction in such matters, and whether the procedure followed is similar to the procedure of other courts; and whether he will make inquiries with a view to ascertaining if such jurisdiction and procedure is applicable to existing conditions.
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolThe City Chamberlain has an ancient customary jurisdiction in connection with the Mayor's Court to adjudicate on disputes between masters and apprentices, and commits apprentices to the Bridewell for misconduct in accordance with a, scheme approved by the Master of the Rolls (under 52, George III. c. 101, and. the Charitable Trusts Acts). I am not aware of any reason for dissenting from the view expressed by my predecessors that the Chamberlain's Court is distinguished for its impartial administration and care of the rights of apprentices. I may add that the Bridewell is not a prison coming within the provisions of the Prison Act., nor is it in any way under the inspection or control of the Home Office.