HC Deb 26 June 1905 vol 148 cc91-2
MR. DUNCAN (Yorkshire, W. R. Otley)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the fact that Canon Greenwel, presiding over-the Durham Bench of Magistrates, had sad, when sentencing two motor-cyclists for driving their machines at excessive speed, that it would not be a bad plan if some of them were shot; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter.

The following Questions on the same subject also appeared on the Paper—

MR. BRIGHT (Shropshire, Oswestry)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the statement of the Rev. Canon Greenwell, presiding at the Durham County Bench of Magistrates on the 21st instant, that it would not be a bad plan if a few motorists were shot; and, if so, whether it is proposed to remove the Rev. Canon Greenwell from the commission of the peace.

MR. ARTHUR STANLEY (Lancashire, Ormskirk)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to certain remarks, advocating the shooting of motorists, made by Canon Greenwell when sitting as a magistrate at the Durham County Police Court on the 21st instant; and, if so, whit action he intends to take.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine's

Perhaps I may answer this, and. the Questions of the hon. Members for the Oswestry Division and the Ormskirk Division, together. I understand from Canon Greenwell that what he actually said was as follows:—"I do not think I should be inclined to follow the advice of Lord Queensberry, but if some of these reckless drivers, who destroy the comfort and endanger the life of other travellers, were shot, I am not sure we should say that much harm was done." Canon Greenwell has explained to me that his remark was not made seriously, and that no one in Court regarded it as being made seriously. I think this is obvious, and though I cannot approve of such remarks being made from the Bench, even in jest, I do not think that any further action is called for.