§ 63. Mr. Pooleasked the Home Secretary how many offences under the Road Traffic Acts were heard in the Birmingham, Victoria, Law Courts on 3rd May, 1939; how many of these were heard before lay magistrates; and how many were heard before the stipendiary magistrate?
§ Sir S. HoareI am informed that there were 60 cases of the kind referred to, of which five were heard by the stipendiary magistrate and 55 by the lay magistrates.
§ Mr. PooleCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House any explanation of 683 the discrimination which has been shown between these cases, by taking five out of 60 before the stipendiary magistrate and 55 before the lay magistrates?
§ Sir S. HoareI have no responsibility in the matter at all.
§ Mr. FlemingIs it not the practice in our courts that cases in which points of law crop up are reserved for the stipendiary magistrate, and ordinary questions of fact for lay magistrates?
§ Mr. PooleWill the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries as to why discrimination was shown in the five cases selected to go before the stipendiary magistrate?
§ Sir S. HoareI should hesitate to make further inquiries on a matter in which I have no responsibility. It is a matter for local arrangement, and I have no reason to suppose that there is any discontent.