§ MR. J. JOHNSON (Gateshead)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of John Commerford, a miner, who, at Gateshead on 10th June, was charged with being drunk and disorderly, but against whom the case was dismissed; whether Commerford was taken from his own house through the streets only partly clothed; and whether he will inquire if any compensation has been offered to the man for the treatment he received and the expense he incurred.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI have made inquiry into this case, and I find that the man was arrested in the street near his own house, not fully dressed, on a charge of being drunk and disorderly, and was taken to the station 250 yards off. He had been previously warned to go into the house and keep quiet, but had refused to do so. The charge was dismissed. I am not aware that any compensation has been offered to the man, and in view of the facts of the case and of his record I certainly think he deserves none.
§ MR. J. JOHNSONThen on what ground did the magistrates dismiss the case?
§ MR. GLADSTONEI suppose they exercised their discretion on the facts.