HC Deb 15 December 1938 vol 342 cc2173-4
66. Sir John Mellor

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the delay, notwithstanding applications, for payment until 1st December, 1938, in the payment of Captain Percy McGeoch, of Widney Manor Road, Solihull, of his expenses allowed by the court at £4 9s. 10d., as a witness attending on subpoena in a case before the Court of Summary Jurisdiction, Helston, Cornwall, on 10th August, 1938; whether he is aware that another witness in the same case received similar treatment with regard to his expenses; and whether, in view of the effect of such treatment being a deterrent to potential witnesses from offering their names and addresses, he will take steps to secure that witnesses shall receive prompt payment of their expenses?

Sir S. Hoare

I have ascertained from the Chief Constable of Cornwall that the delay in the payment of the expenses of the two witnesses in this case was due to a local misunderstanding as to procedure. The Chief Constable has now issued instructions to all members of his force which should prevent any such delay occurring in the future.