HC Deb 01 April 1963 vol 675 c20W
100. Sir M. Stoddart-Scott

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to prevent a party who is acquitted in a case before a magistrate's court being tried twice by the same court for the same alleged offence.

Mr. Brooke

Legislation is not needed if the object is to secure that an acquittal on the merits should bar a second trial on the same charge. But I would not be prepared to introduce legislation to remove the power of the High Court, on an appeal by way of case stated, to reverse the determination of a magistrates' court on a question of law.