§ 58. Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whether by going to prison for 10 months in default of paying a fine of £13,000 imposed upon him at Bow Street, London, on 12th November, 1942, for failing to offer 35,821 United States dollars, £8,888, Harry Woodford Mellor, described as a farmer of Whitfield Barn Farm, Glossop, Derbyshire, has escaped financial penalty for his offence?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)Yes, Sir, I understand that the magistrate, when imposing the fine, at the same time imposed a period of 10 months' imprisonment in default of payment of the fine. Since Mellor refused to pay any part of the fine, he was forthwith committed to prison in default of payment; and if he serves the full period of imprisonment, he will not be called upon to pay any part of the fine.
§ Mr. WalkdenDoes not my right hon. Friend think it very unsatisfactory that this man should be cancelling out a debt to the Treasury at the rate of £43 a day for every day that he spends in prison? Does he not think it necessary to check up on this man, who is a thoroughly bad lot and has been for many months past?
§ Captain CrookshankNo, Sir, it would be most improper for me to make any comment on the decision of the court.