HC Deb 28 July 1936 vol 315 cc1320-1
75. Sir ARNOLD WILSON

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to recent cases in which persons have been committed to gaol without bail by virtue of warrants issued without proper inquiries at the instance of private individuals; and whether, in view of the growing dissatisfaction with this and other aspects of the performance of these duties by magistrates in courts of summary jurisdiction, he will consider setting up a Departmental Committee to inquire into and make recommendations for the improvement of these courts?

Mr. LLOYD

If my hon. and gallant Friend knows of any cases in which there are grounds for thinking that a warrant has been issued improperly, I shall be glad if he will send me particulars. My right hon. Friend is considering the institution of inquiries into certain definite aspects of the work of courts of summary jurisdiction, and he thinks that more useful results are likely to be obtained by this means than by any wider inquiry extending over the whole field.

Mr. FOOT

Will the hon. Gentleman give some indication of the particular aspects into which inquiry is to be made?

Mr. LLOYD

Yes; for example, the system of the appointment and payment of justices' clerks.