HC Deb 06 April 1908 vol 187 cc948-9
MR. BOWLES

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether he is aware that members of the local education committees which issue summonses to parents under the Education Acts are frequently also members of the local bench of magistrates which adjudicates upon them; and whether, in view of the fact that there is no appeal from the bench's decision in such cases, he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent these gentlemen from acting in future as final judges in their own cause.

SIR W. ROBSON

Members of the Local Education Committee are not disqualified for sitting, but it is very undesirable that they should act as magistrates in cases in which they are concerned as members of the education authority, and I have no reason to suppose that they do so.

MR. BOWLES

If I bring such a case to the notice of the hon. and learned Gentleman will he inquire?

SIR W. ROBSON

Certainly.