§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Home Secretary whether he could state the number of persons committed to prison last year for non-payment of rates; and whether it was the practice of magistrates before making such committal orders to require evidence of means?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI cannot give figures for 1910, but for the last five months of 1909 the number of persons committed to prison in default of paying their rates was 1,216. In the case of general district rates and many other rates, evidence of means is a necessary preliminary to committal: in the case of poor rate and other rates enforceable like poor rate, this is not so, but I have no doubt that all the circumstances of the case are duly considered before a committal is ordered.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYIn view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement that a large number of poor people have been imprisoned for non-payment of rates who, obviously, were not able to pay on account of their poverty, will the Home Secretary use his office to represent to the justices that imprisonment for debt is supposed to be obsolete in this country?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe general question has been engaging my attention.