§ MR. SCHWANNI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the case recently before the magistrates at the City Police Courts, Manchester, when Henry Mills and Co., Tomlinson Street, Hulme, Manchester, were summoned at the instance of His Majesty's Inspector of Factories for failing to fence a driving shaft, by which neglect Sydney Drew, 13 years of age, was caught by his apron and one of his arms was fractured; is he aware that the Bench inflicted only 5s. fine, and seeing that the inspector expressed his regret at a nominal fine only being inflicted, as it would tend to weaken his hands in getting dangerous machinery fenced, will he state what he proposes to do in the case?
§ *MR. RITCHIEMy attention has been called to the case mentioned by the hon. Member, and the facts are as stated. I am informed that the Magistrates stated that their reason for inflicting so small a fine was that the shaft had been fenced after the accident. There is no appeal from the Magistrates' decision as to the amount of the fine, or I certainly would have ordered an appeal to be lodged.