NEW CLAUSE (Charge of housebreaking triable summarily.)

Part of Orders of the Day — Criminal Justice Bill – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 15 April 1948.

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Photo of Mr David Weitzman Mr David Weitzman , Stoke Newington 12:00, 15 April 1948

I hope that at least one voice will be raised in support of the Clause from this side of the House. The only objection made by the Home Secretary was that housebreaking was a very serious offence. That statement shows very great distrust of the ability of magistrates to deal with such cases. Anyone who practises in the courts knows that there are hundreds of trumpery cases, technically of housebreaking, in which, with all the solemnity of the law, the prisoner is committed for trial. Then there may be a long time of waiting before he is tried, and great injustice is suffered. The proposed new Clause should receive support. I cannot see why the Home Secretary cannot accept it.