§ 9. Captain Viscount CURZONasked the Home Secretary whether he has been able to give consideration to a reduction of the sentences imposed on. R. E. Dean by the Woburn Bench for giving a lift to a poor wayfarer while using trade number plates, and upon a driver employed by Marzial Motors, Limited, for a technical breach of the Regulation governing the use of a trade number plate?
Mr. HENDERSONI have inquired into the case of R. E. Dean. I must say, in fairness to the magistrates and to the police officer mentioned, that some of the details mentioned in the question put to me by the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on the 7th July about this case are not borne out on inquiry. But on the documents before me, I have thought it right to remit £2 of the fine of £3 (not £7) which was imposed on Dean. As regard the other case referred to in the question, my inquiries are not completed.
§ Viscount CURZONDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think a fine of £3 is a rather expensive penalty to inflict upon a man who merely gave a lift to a poor unemployed workman?