HC Deb 11 February 1954 vol 523 cc153-4W
91. Mr. Grey

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons in the administrative county of Durham appeared before magistrates during the year ended 31st December, 1953, on a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm upon their wives in consequence of beating them.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

Eight.

92. Mr. Grey

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the probation officer's report regarding John James Cowan, a former Durhamminer, stated that he came from a district of Durham where it was a common thing for men to beat their wives and that it was generally expected and understood; and whether he will instruct probation officers not to make such general charges in future.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I understand that the defendant's solicitor's clerk asked for a report from the probation officer, who explained that he could make a report only to the court;the court did not ask for a report and none was made. The statement by counselfor the defence, as reported in the Press, appears to have been the result of an unfortunate misunderstanding in the conversation between the probation officer and the solicitor or his clerk.

Probation officers outside London are not subject to my control but in any event I have no reason to think that they are in need of instruction of the kind suggested.