§ 20. Sir JOHN HASLAMasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a recent paternity case tried at the Bolton County Police Court, wherein a man who acknowledged his responsibility escaped his liability, because the justices had to dismiss the application owing to the claimant being of too weak an intellect to understand the nature of an oath; and whether he will introduce, at an early date, legislation to remedy this state of things?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThis case is most exceptional and probably unique. The complainant appears to have been of insufficient capacity to understand the nature of an oath or of the proceedings, and it would cause injustice if an order could he made against a man denying paternity without the evidence of the mother. In this case the man is reported to have been willing to admit paternity and, if so, the right course to pursue would be to invite him to enter into an enforceable agreement for the payment of maintenance to the mother.
§ Sir J. HASLAMWill the right hon. Gentleman convey that reply to the right quarter?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI do not think that it is a matter for the bench. Perhaps the hon. Member could convey it to the parties concerned.