§ 93. Mr. BARNESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take into consideration the circumstances of the theft from a co-operative society- stores at Queensferry, the conviction of the thief and his discharge by the magistrates at Mold, consisting of two private traders of the district; and if ho can take steps to get representation of co-operators on the bench?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)From the newspaper report furnished me by the hon. Friend it appears that the magistrates, having regard to the extenuating circumstances of the case and the fact that this was the defendant's first offence, thought it could be adequately dealt with by binding him over to come up for judgment if called on within three years. The answer to the last part of the question is that I have no power to take the steps suggested.