Mr. Amoryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the desirability of a shorthand record being taken of proceedings in all cases before an appeal committee of quarter sessions.
§ Mr. EdeThe question whether an appeal committee of quarter sessions has a shorthand note of its proceedings taken is a matter for the appeal committee. Decisions of appeal committees on appeal from decisions of courts of summary jurisdiction are final on matters of fact, and the only appeal is by way of case stated on a point of law. Such appeals are infrequent and seldom involve a minute consideration of the evidence. I am not satisfied on the information at present before me that the legislation which would be needed to require appeal committees to have a shorthand note taken in all cases would be justified.