§ 69. Mr. MacVEAGHasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that three small boys pleaded guilty at Grimsby to a charge of theft; whether it transpired that before being charged they had been taken into custody by the police and detained; whether he is aware that the magistrate held that such procedure was illegal and repugnant to justice and therefore released the boys; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI am informed that the boys were not taken into custody or detained. They were proceeded against by summons, but they had previously been taken to the police station in connection with the inquiry as to theft, and a young constable of three and a half months' service, in the absence of other officers, showed one of the boys the cells, and said, "That is where boys are put who do not tell the truth." His superior officers were unaware of this until the constable admitted it at the hearing, whereupon the responsible superintendent withdrew the charge, and the magistrates dismissed the case.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHWere the magistrates right in carrying out the law in this specific case?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIt is not for me to criticise the action of the learned magistrates.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIf that is the law in this country, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to be good enough to send a note of the case to the Attorney-General and the Chief Secretary for Ireland, both of whom are breaking the law every day.