Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the circular issued by his predecessor urging magistrates to grant bail wherever practicable, this is not done in all cases, with the result that serious hardship is inflicted upon accused persons in preparing their defence; and will he therefore take steps to secure that magistrates refusing bail shall make a Return to the Home Office stating the reasons for such refusal?

Mr. DAVIES:

Legislation would be necessary to impose such an obligation on Courts of Summary Jurisdiction, and returns so obtained would not be likely to have any practical value. I may say, however, that my Department is not aware of any substantial ground for the suggestion in the first part of the question.

Mr. T. THOMSON:

If I bring to the hon. Gentleman's notice many cases of this sort, will his Department reconsider issuing the circular of his predecessor on this point?

Mr. DAVIES:

Yes, we will consider that.