§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation providing that an appeal shall lie to quarter sessions against acquittals by courts of summary jurisdiction of persons charged with cruelty to children or animals, as in the case of acquittals under the Inland Revenue Acts and the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe general principle of English law is that while the prosecution can go to the High Court on a question of law it cannot, on a question of fact, appeal to quarter sessions against an acquittal. I know of no sufficient ground for proposing a departure from this principle in the particular classes of eases referred to. The other Acts mentioned stand on a special footing.