HC Deb 03 May 1911 vol 25 cc424-5
Mr. ALDEN

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he was aware that the magistrates at Nailsworth petty sessions had committed the Rev. S. J. Ford to prison for two months because he refused to pay an education rate of 1s. 9d., though he offered to pay the poor rate of £1 14s. 3d.; and whether he would, under the circumstances, take steps to mitigate the severity of the sentence?

Mr. HICKS BEACH

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, is it not a fact that this rev. gentleman has regularly for some years past broken the law in this respect; and that light sentences being quite ineffectual, the magistrates were unanimous in passing the sentence in question; and that two of the magistrates were Liberal Nonconformists?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The facts are as stated in the question. The sentence is stupid and vindictive, but I am advised that I have no power to annul it as the Prerogative of the Crown does not cover cases of civil debt. Mr. Ford must, therefore, suffer this ill-usage, but it is to be hoped that the moral will not be lost on the public.

Mr. HICKS BEACH

Is it not a fact that of the magistrates who passed this "stupid and vindictive" sentence two were Liberal Nonconformists?

Mr. ASHLEY

On what ground and by what right does the right hon. Gentleman say the sentence is stupid and vindictive?

Mr. PEEL

Was that answer political or Ministerial?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I gave the answer to the House of Commons, speaking as the representative of the Home Office and as a Member of the House of Commons.

Mr. PRIMROSE

Can the right hon. Gentleman induce his colleague, the Lord Chancellor, to dilute the magisterial bench at Nailsworth?

Mr. HICKS BEACH

What steps are the magistrates to take if a person is brought before them regularly for commit- ting an offence and upon whom light sentences have no effect?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I say that a sentence of two months imposed in these circumstances is stupid and vindictive.