HC Deb 30 May 1911 vol 26 cc908-9
Mr. JAMES MASON

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that under his General Order 56,695, dated 18th April, 1911, and authorising certain local authorities to levy a rate for the purpose of a public local celebration on the occasion of His Majesty's Royal Coronation, some local authorities are using such Order as a means of extracting subscriptions from certain individual ratepayers under threat of imposing such compulsory rate; and, if so, whether he can amend the order in such a way as to prevent this from being done in future?

Mr. BURNS

I have no information beyond that which the hon. Member has supplied to me, to the effect described in the question, and I could not undertake to amend the Order to which he refers.

Mr. JAMES MASON

What would the right hon. Gentleman advise the ratepayers to do in a case such as I have described

Mr. BURNS

In the event of any individual ratepayer being improperly approached under cover of the Order I think he should resist by every means in his power the use of an Order of this character as a means of intimidating him into subscribing towards something which legally there is no power to force him to do in this offensive manner.

Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the general festivities in connection with the Coronation of their Majesties the King and Queen, he can state the intentions of His Majesty the King with regard to the use of the Royal prerogative in the liberation of prisoners and the remission of sentences; and whether such remission would apply to the convict Von Veltheim?

Mr. CHURCHILL

There is no intention to grant a general remission of sentences on the occasion of the Coronation.

Mr. BOTTOMLEY

As to the particular convict mentioned in the question, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will reconsider the matter in the event of Mr. Joel's horse winning the Derby tomorrow?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I did go very carefully into this case, and the sentence was reduced. I cannot hold out any hope of a further reduction.