Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at on 15 February 1924.
Reverend Herbert Dunnico
, Consett
(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at the close of the case presented by Mr. Art O'Brien before the Compensation Tribunal on Wednesday last, Lord Justice Atkin said that Mr. O'Brien had conducted his case with great courtesy and ability and must have undergone a severe strain, and that if the matter rested with the Court it would very much like him to be given a substantial meal, and that the chief warder in charge of Mr. O'Brien stated that he had been given instructions not to allow him to purchase any food; whether the Secretary of State for the Home Department is responsible for such a harsh and unreasonable order, particularly in view of the expressed wish of the learned Judge, and, if not, what action he proposes to take on the matter?
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.