§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Wyndham Albery, chartered accountant, a conscientious objector to military service, was charged with being an absentee under the Military Service Act at Brentford Police Court and remanded; that the magistrate refused the granting of bail solely on the grounds that the military representative objected, and also refused to hear any evidence in support of bail; and what steps he will take to represent the advisability of bail being granted in similar cases where the character and position of trust held by the prisoner are sufficient guarantee that he will come up for trial when called upon?
§ Sir G. CAVE:I have made inquiry about this case, and find that in refusing bail the magistrates considered facts stated to them by the military representative. The grant of bail when a prisoner is remanded is a matter for the discretion of the justices, and if it is refused application may be made to the High Court. I have reason to believe that Courts of summary jurisdiction are generally alive to the desirability of allowing defendants bail on an adjournment whenever this can be safely done.