HL Deb 15 May 1963 vol 249 c1298

2.41 p.m.

LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEU

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will urge the Marylebone Borough Council to compensate Dr. Victor Bloom for his considerable costs in clearing his name arising from an entirely illegal act on the part of a plain-clothed parking meter attendant.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (EARL JELLICOE)

My Lords, when a person is tried on indictment and acquitted the court of trial has power to order the payment out of local funds of the costs of the defence. I am informed that in the case referred to in the Question the defence applied to the court for costs, but the application was refused. In the circumstances my right honourable friend would not feel justified in intervening in the way suggested by my noble friend in what was a matter for the court to decide.