HC Deb 20 July 1939 vol 350 cc718-9
79. Mr. Pearson

asked the Home Secretary whether he will inquire into the case at Cowbridge Petty Sessional Court, Glamorganshire, on nth July, when an excavator driver was fined £1 for exceeding the speed limit on a motor cycle; and, in view of the fact that this man was told that he might have got off with a 10s. fine if, instead of wearing in court overalls and an open-necked shirt, he had appeared in tidier clothes, whether he will consider remitting at least part of the fine?

Mr. Peake

My right hon. Friend is informed by the justices that no reference was made to the wearing by the defendant of overalls and an open-necked shirt but that the chairman remarked only upon the untidy and unkempt appearance of the defendant which was, in his view, disrespectful to the court. The case was heard and determined by three justices whose decision to convict and impose a fine of £1 was unanimous and was arrived at without any reference to the defendant's appearance. My right hon. Friend regrets he can find no grounds for recommending any interference.

Mr. Pearson

Are we to lake it that the Press reports are incorrect regarding this case and will the hon. Gentleman see that representations are made to the magistrates that the practice of imposing fines according to the clothes worn should be stopped?

Mr. Peake

I cannot speak for the accuracy or otherwise of any Press reports of this case, but I can give a clear answer that neither in this case nor as far as I am aware, in any other, is any objection taken to the defendant appearing in his working clothes. The remark of the magistrate in this case was directed to the defendant's unkempt and untidy appearance.

Mr. Gallacher

Are we to understand that if the man had appeared in garden party dress he would have been acquitted?