HC Deb 09 December 1954 vol 535 cc1095-6
16. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the Charter granted to the Borough of Maldon, Essex, in 1171, confirmed the borough's existing rights of infangenetheof, hamso[...]n, and blodwite, and that the exercise of criminal jurisdiction by the borough court continued without a break from before that date until the recent extinction of the quarter sessions, whereas the hundredgemot of the sparsely populated Dengie Hundred lost its criminal jurisdiction before 1327; and if these facts were among the historical considerations taken into account by the Magistrates' Courts Committee before it was decided to place the name of Dengie before that of Maldon in the title of the new petty sessional division.

Major Lloyd-George

I am informed that the Magistrates' Courts Committee was aware of the first point but that the latter was not before them, and that there is some doubt upon it. I understand that the Committee considered that the Dengie Hundred courts, which were apparently ordained by King Alfred, were the oldest local institution of which any trace has remained.

Mr. Driberg

Is it not the case that they have not had the same continuity of administration, from those early times until recently, as the Maldon court has; and, delightful as the Dengie Hundred is, is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the case of the Borough of Maldon is really very strong on historical grounds? If, as he says, there is some doubt, can he not ask the Committee to look at the matter again?

Major Lloyd-George

The doubt is whether it was there in 1327. It is altogether a complicated matter. My predecessor's decision to confirm the Committee's proposals was made, not on historical grounds, but because the Committee had carefully considered a matter that was primarily for them. There had been representations from the other side approving the change. It is a little difficult when the hon. Member refers to these charters. I have gone into this with some care. The charter, I may remind him, also refers to nam, graff, fythwythe and grethbeg. I hope that no hon. Gentleman will ask me what they mean, because I have not the faintest idea.

Mr. Woodburn

Would there be anything in the Prime Minister's memoirs that might help the hon. Gentleman?