§ 26. Mr. JAGGERasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the numerous cases of refusal or delay on the part of magistrates and police in granting bail to persons bailable at common law; and whether, as such refusal or delay is an offence against the liberty of the subject, he will make such representations as will secure that bail is promptly granted wherever possible?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe powers of the police to grant bail are confined to cases where a person has been arrested without a warrant pending his appearance before a court, and I have no reason to think that they do not make use of their powers in proper cases. When a person has been brought before a court, the question of bail is one for the magistrates, and I know of no occasion for making any representations to them as to the exercise of their discretion in the matter.