§ 27. Mr. McGovernasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a recent declaration by Provost O. K. Michie, of Renfrew, who is provost, magistrate and air-raid precautions controller for the county of Renfrew, at a monthly meeting of Renfrew Town Council, that, if he was on the bench when any black-out offenders came before him, he would fine them for the first offence and send them to prison for the full term for the second offence; whether his position as air-raid precautions controller has any salary; and, if so, what is the amount paid?
§ Sir J. AndersonMy attention had not been drawn to the statement referred to in the first part of the question. The post of controller does not carry any salary.
§ Mr. McGovernIs it not an irregular procedure for any Provost or any other person to declare at an outside meeting the policy he intends to pursue on the bench when people are brought before him, before the case comes to be judged, and is a person of this description capable of being an air-raid controller in any area?
§ Sir J. AndersonMatters relating to magistrates in Scotland—and I gather that it was in his capacity as a magistrate that these observations were made—are not within my province.
§ Mr. McGovernThe statement was made at an air-raid control meeting and you are responsible.