HC Deb 12 August 1901 vol 99 c427
MR. C. P. SCOTT (Lancashire, Leigh)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to an appeal, heard at the quarter sessions for Bolton held on the 12th ultimo, by the licensee of the Standard Arms beerhouse in that borough against a conviction for selling drink to a drunken person; whether he is aware that the publican was represented by counsel before the appellate tribunal, but that the police who laid and furnished the informationa gainst the house failed to instruct counsel to represent the prosecution on the appeal, and that the Deputy Recorder stated that, in arriving at a decision, he had had the assistance of the other occupants of the bench, who were two borough justices, and of the clerk; and whether, in view of Section 158 (1) of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882, he will take steps to secure a due observance of the law by the justices of Bolton.

*MR. RITCHIE

Inquiry is being made into this matter, but on the facts before me I find no ground for action on my part.