§ 23. Mr. Moelwyn Hughesasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has 2060 been drawn to adjudications by the justices at St. Clears, on 5th December last, whereby the same fine of £1 was imposed upon a defendant for adulterating eight and a half gallons of milk with two gallons of water and upon another defendant, a widow living upon 18s. per week public assistance, for a black-out offence; and whether he will circularise justices with a view to getting greater uniformity in fines?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIn the Home Office memorandum giving advice to justices on the subject of fines, special attention was called to the importance of taking account of the means of poor people. In the absence of any information as to the circumstances which may have been before the court in these two cases, it would not be right for me to comment on the action of the justices, but as regards the first of the offences specified in the Question, I would refer to the answer which I gave on nth December to a Question by my hon. Friend, the Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Pearson).
§ Mr. HughesWill not my right hon. Friend investigate more fully the circumstances of these two offences? Will he be prepared to take some action if the summary is found to be justified upon the fuller investigations?
§ Mr. MorrisonIf further information is available, I will look at it, but the Home Secretary must not become a substitute for the courts of law. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] I am glad to note that on that point I have the concurrence of hon. Members.