§ Mr. Pooleasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the recent refusal of the chairman of a bench of magistrates to hear a case because a female witness appeared without a hat; and whether, in the interests of litigants, he will circularise all benches of magistrates discouraging such discrimination?
§ Mr. PeakeMy right hon. Friend has seen a newspaper report of the case to which the hon. Member refers. It is, of course, the responsibility of those charged with the duty of administering the law to ensure that proper respect is paid to the courts. My right hon. Friend has no information to suggest that it is necessary or desirable for him to give to courts any guidance on this matter.