HC Deb 06 August 1900 vol 87 cc777-8
Mr. MADDISON (Sheffield, Brightside)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Mr. Frank Hill, a gasworker living at Hyde, was fined by the magistrates for not sending his child to a school, since declared by the Board of Education to be too far from the parent's home; that, on refusing to pay the fine, Mr. Hill was arrested in his own house, marched through the streets in the daytime, searched at the police station, and locked up in the cells until the money was paid; and that Mr. Hill's cottage was well stocked with household effects upon which the police could have distrained, which they refused to do; and whether he will take steps to censure the police for this arrest and detention of Mr. Hill, and to refund to him the money he had to pay as fine, seeing that the Board of Education has justified him in claiming free education at a school within reasonable distance of his house.

*Sir M. WHITE RIDLEY

I have already gone carefully into this case. Mr. Frank Hill was fined for not sending his child to school, and on refusing to pay was duly arrested after several warnings from the police. The arrest was legal, and he was detained only fifteen minutes. The police state that there was nothing in the house on which distraint could be levied. There is no ground for censuring the police for their action in the matter; and as to the fine, the proceedings which led to it were perfectly regular. In view, however, of what subsequently happened I am consulting the Board of Education as to whether it might not be possible to remit the fine.

Mr. MADDISON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Nonconformist minister in Blackpool himself testified that he saw furniture worth £15 in this man's house?

*SIR M. WHITE RIDLEY

I have the statement of the inspector of police who visited the house twice. He informs me there were no goods that could be distrained upon.

Mr. MADDISON

It was the Rev. W. Evans, of Blackpool.

*Sir M. WHITE RIDLEY

I know him perfectly well. He has written me several letters.