§ Mr. SpeakerI have to inform the House that I have received a letter, dated 26 January 1987, from the Clerk of Petty Sessions, Lisburn, in the following terms:
I have to inform you that Mr. Harold McCusker, Member of Parliament … was convicted at Lisburn Magistrates' Court on 27th November 1986".The letter goes on to set out the offence in detail and to say that the hon. Member for Upper Bann (Mr. McCusker) was fined £50 and ordered to pay other sums, and, in default, to be imprisoned for seven days. concludes with the words:These amounts were not paid and a warrant to enforce the order was issued on 19th January, 1987.I have now been informed that Mr. McCusker was arrested and lodged in prison today.I shall cause the text of the letter to be printed in the Official Report.
Following is the letter.
Dear Sir,I have to inform you that Mr. Harold McCusker, Member of Parliament of 33 Seagoe Road, Portadown, Craigavon, Co. Armagh was convicted at Lisburn Magistrates' Court on 27th November, 1986 of the following offence:—He on the 10th day of April, 1986 on the public road at Ballinderry Cross Road, Ballinderry in the said district and county court division did use a mechanically propelled vehicle, Registration Mark NIJ 3803 for which a licence under the Vehicles (Excise) Act (N I.), 1972 was not in force. Contrary to Section 8(1) of the said Act. And whereas he is further liable under section 9(1) of the said Act to pay an amount equivalent to all arrears of duty owed by him and calculated as amounting to £16.66 from the first day of March, 1986 to the 30th day of April, 1986.He was fined £50, ordered to pay £16.66 arrears of tax and £3.00 costs in 28 days and in default to be imprisoned for 7 days. These amounts were not paid and a warrant to enforce the order was issued on 19th January, 1987.I have now been informed that Mr. McCusker was arrested and lodged in Prison to-day.