§ 21. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that his Department recently prosecuted Edith Buckley, age 21 years, a cotton operative, of Oxford Street, Oldham, for having gone on holidays with her family without the permission of her employer; that she bad been absent from work for only four days in four years through sickness; that, in imposing a nominal fine of 5s., the magistrate's clerk declared that, in view of the woman's good record, it was disgraceful to bring her to court; and whether he intends taking disciplinary action against the officers of his Department for instigating this prosecution?
§ Mr. BevinMy attention has also been called to this case by the trade union concerned. I am having special inquiries made and will communicate with my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. DaviesIs it possible for my right hon. Friend's officers to be given instructions not to proceed in cases where it is obvious that the magistrates will not convict?
§ Mr. BevinThe difficulty in this case is that the magistrate did convict, in spite of 364 making the comment. Therefore, I must make special inquiries.
§ Mr. DaviesIs my right hon. Friend aware that the magistrate imposed only a nominal fine because he was compelled to do so.
§ Mr. HammersleyIs it not a fact that the magistrate said that this was a case which ought never to have been brought.
§ Mr. BevinI am not going to accept without inquiry comments from the bench in any case where my officers are concerned. Magistrates often make comments which are not warranted.