§ MR. PERKSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of a Wesleyan Methodist lay evangelist employed under the direction of the Wesleyan Conference, named R. M. Redward, who was summoned before the Chipping Campden magistrates on the 4th July for infringing a bye-law of the Gloucestershire County Council by preaching in the village of Campden, at a spot where preaching has been permitted for many generations; whether he is aware that the summons was granted by Canon Bourne, the resident clergyman of the Church of England, at the instance of one of his parishioners; that the Rev. Canon Bourne sat upon the bench to judge the case; and that, upon an adjournment being asked by the evangelist in order to secure legal assistance, and without hearing the evidence, Canon Bourne described the Wesleyan evangelist as a street brawler; and whether, under such circumstances, he will advise the reverend magistrate not to adjudicate upon a case in which he is interested and which he has so prejudged.
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolI have no knowledge of these circumstances except what is conveyed in the question; but on the facts as there stated I should not consider it consistent with my duty to interfere by advice or otherwise.
§ MR. BAYLEY (Derbyshire, Chesterfield)Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether the statement is correct?
§ * SIR M. WHITE RIDLEYI have no means of enforcing advice, if I offer any.
§ MR. PERKSWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly inquire whether in a neighbouring parish a clergyman, who is 477 accompanied by a large choir, preaches out of doors?