§ 10. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to an incident at the Willesden Police Court in which a defendant stated that he paid his fine as he left the Court; whether he is aware that the magistrate was informed by the warrant officer that no receipts are given for fines; and, Whether, seeing that the man in question had no proof of payment and was ordered to pay the money forthwith or be committed to prison, he will consider the desirability of issuing receipts for all moneys paid?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, Sir. On inquiry I find that the defendant in this case said he would not be able to identify the officer to whom he alleged he had paid the fine. The Justices, after he had been confronted with the warrant officers and had admitted he had not paid the fine to any of them, told him that in their opinion the fine had not been paid. The money was then paid and a receipt, given. The general question involved is receiving attention.