Mr. Kennedyrose to ask a question of the hon. and learned, the Lord Advocate of Scotland. The subject upon which he required information had created a very great sensation in that part of the country with which he was more immediately connected. On the 12th of July last, a riot had occurred at Ayr, in which lives were lost. He wished to know whether, in the case of any of the persons charged with having taken part in that affray, bail had been offered and accepted? He trusted, that the whole of this subject would undergo strict and mature consideration.
The Lord Advocatedid not very well know, whether he ought or ought not to give any answer to the question of his hon. friend. He would not, however, give any answer that was likely to compromise him, individually, in the discharge of his functions, or to prejudice the cause of those who might hereafter be placed on their trial. He could only say, that in the way of general rumour, he had heard of the event to which his hon. friend had alluded; but he had not received any precise or accurate information with respect to that event, or to any proceeding's which might have occurred subsequently to it.
§ Lord Althorp moved the Order of the Day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, on the Reform of Parliament (England) Bill.