§ MR. TALBOT () Oxford UniversityTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether summonses under the Education Acts are now heard by the justices in certain districts of London in other places than police Courts; and if so, whether it would be possible to make such an arrangement obligatory in all metropolitan districts and in all populous places; and whether summonses under the Children's Employment Act, 1903, could be similarly treated.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) In one or two districts of London the county magistrates hold sittings to hear cases under the Education Acts, and these sittings are necessarily held in places other than the metropolitan police Courts. To make such an arrangement obligatory in London or in other populous places would require legislation. There has not yet been sufficient experience of cases under the Employment of Children Act to enable me to form any opinion as to how they should be dealt with.