§ Mr. H. STAVELEY-HILLasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to an action brought in the Salford Hundred Court of Record by a Manchester money lender, who obtained judgment in default of appearance in two cases where a harsh and unconscionable rate of interest had been charged to two working men, and that when the judgment summons came on to be heard in the Cheadle (Staffs) County Court the judge had no power to apply the provisions of the Money Lenders Act, as judgment had already been obtained; and whether, having regard to the impossibility, on the ground of expense, of poor persons being able to attend the court in the first instance, and to take advantage of the provisions of the Money Lenders Act, he will suggest any amendment of the law so as to prevent a recurrence of similar cases?
§ Sir W. ROBSONIn the case put by the hon. Member it will be seen that two defendants to an action by a money lender failed to appear. The result was that judgment went against them by default. It is suggested in the question that they have suffered some hardship because they were not allowed to put up the defence they ought to have set up when the judgment came to be enforced. I cannot agree that there is any hardship there, and I do not see how any legislation can prevent hardship arising to defendants who do not appear.