Mr. TYSON WILSON (on behalf of Mr. William Thorne)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to a case tried at a special court, Wigton, Cumberland, on Wednesday, 13th October, where a farm labourer named Ernest William Wilson was charged with riding a bicycle without a light; if he is aware that on the previous day, when the case should have been heard, the prisoner sent a telegram to say that his employer would pay the fine, but it did not arrive until after the sitting of the court, whereupon a warrant was issued for his arrest; and whether, 1168 seeing that the prisoner was fined 16s., including costs, or 14 days' hard labour, will he say if he intends taking action in the matter?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Herbert Gladstone)I have inquired into this case, and find that the defendant failed to appear to the summons issued against him, and a warrant was issued in the usual course to ensure his attendance. After the court had risen the police received a telegram from defendant's employer stating that defendant had missed a train. Neither this telegram nor the assurance given by defendant's employer that he would pay any fine that might be imposed relieved the police of their obligation to execute the warrant issued to them, but they arranged to execute the warrant and bring prisoner at once to the court on a day that would be most convenient to the parties concerned. I see no reason for action on my part.