§ 60. Captain STRICKLANDasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that most motor cyclists and drivers of motor cars are workers engaged in industry and have consequent difficulty in 807 attending police courts held during normal working hours without series results and loss of wages, and bearing in mind the expression of opinion from some of the benches that non-attendance aggravates the alleged offence, he will consider the institution of courts held in the evening?
§ Mr. LLOYDIt is for the justices of the peace in each division to decide at what time their sittings shall be held, and if in any area, after consideration of local circumstances and the convenience of the various classes of persons concerned, it appears that there would be advantage in evening sessions, it is open to the justices to make arrangements accordingly.
§ Captain STRICKLANDCan the Home Office indicate to benches of magistrates that in the cases I have mentioned this suggestion should be considered in a favourable light, in view of the fact that where a motor cyclist is summoned to attend a court some distance away he has to pay the cost of getting there and lose a day's pay, whether he is guilty or not, as well as being liable to a fine if he is convicted?
§ Mr. LLOYDI have indicated in my answer that this is a matter which the local justices have the power to decide for themselves, and is not one on which my right hon. Friend has any authority to issue instructions.
§ Mr. R. C. MORRISONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the information he has just given is not generally known to benches of magistrates, and will he take steps to see that they are made acquainted with that information?