§ Mr. G. Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether its attention has been drawn to the Lord Chief Justice's judgment in the Divisional Court, in the case of James versus Lewis, in which certain justices at Aberayron, Cardiganshire, heard, and dismissed, summonses against their clerk alleging food offences; and whether, in view of the Lord Chief Justice's comments, it is proposed to take any action in the matter.
§ Mr. EdeYes, Sir; the Lord Chancellor and I have decided that there should be a public Inquiry into this case and we have appointed the Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Tucker to undertake it. I understand that he will hold the inquiry at Aberayron, on 11th February.
The terms of reference are as follow:
To inquire and report on:
- (1) The circumstances leading up to the hearing on 24th April, 1946, at Aberayron, before seven justices of the Aberayron Division of the County of Cardigan, of two informations brought by John Robert James (Divisional Enforcement Officer) on behalf of the Minister of Food against William Herbert Lewis (Solicitor and Clerk to the Aberayron Justices); and
- (2) The conduct of the proceedings at the hearing before the justices, the conduct of all the persons concerned in these proceedings and the circumstances in which the justices reached the conclusion that the charges against the defendant should be dismissed.