§ Mr. ISAACSasked the Home Secretary if he will give consideration to a circular issued by the Home Office to clerks to justices, dated 5th May, 1923 (444,563/1), which sets out that complaints are sometimes received at the Home Office of defendants, who have appeared at courts of summary jurisdiction in answer to summonses, having been required to stand in the dock during the hearing of their cases, and that such requirement creates an appearance of unnecessary harshness in dealing with petty offences; and if he will re-issue that
646Wapproved by the Board in each of the quarters of 1928, and in each of the first three quarters of 1929:
circular or instructions of a like character in view of the fact that some courts are still failing to observe the recommendations referred to?
§ Mr. CLYNESI believe that, in general, practice conforms to the suggestion in the circular referred to, which I need hardly say has my full approval. Since its issue, scarcely a single complaint has reached the Home Office; and if there is still anywhere any ground for complaint, I hope that the present question and answer will so draw attention to the matter that no other action may be necessary.