HC Deb 11 November 1926 vol 199 cc1235-6
Mr. LAWSON

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Castle Ward Guardians in prosecuting and securing a conviction under the Vagrancy Act against John Maddison, a miner concerned in the present dispute, for neglecting to maintain his wife and child by refusing to go to work; whether the prosecution was instituted as the result of any advice from his Department; and if not, whether in view of the present exceptional circumstances, he will consider the desirability of taking immediate steps to discourage any further prosecutions of a like nature?

Sir K. WOOD

My right hon. Friend has seen a newspaper report of this case. The prosecution referred to has not arisen out of any advice given by my right hon. Friend's Department, but the guardians do not appear to have exceeded their powers. It is not in my right, hon. Friend's power to direct that proceedings of this kind shall, or shall not, be taken by a board of guardians.

Mr. LAWSON

In view of the fact that this involves the possibility of hundreds of thousands of miners, a great mass of them ex-service men, being declared vagrants and criminals, will the hon. Gentleman's Department not take steps to discourage the guardians from taking any action, particularly in view of the fact that the guardian on whose advice this course was taken is the appointed guardian for Chester-le-Street, as appointed by the Minister himself?

Sir K. WOOD

I have no knowledge of the latter circumstances. Each board of guardians must carry out the law to the best of its ability, and it is for the Court to decide in each case whether there is any justification for the prosecution.

Mr. LAWSON

The Act under which action has been taken is over 100 years old. In view of the difficult circumstances which precipitated this action, will the Department not take some steps to deal with the matter?

Sir K. WOOD

No, Sir.

Mr. LAWSON

I beg to give notice that, in view of the answer of the Minister, I wish to move the adjournment of the House for the consideration of this matter.

Mr. SPEAKER

This is not the time.