§ Mr. Roebuckrose to bring under the notice of the House a totally different subject. Some time since an occurrence took place in the island of Guernsey, in consequence of the conduct of the Controller General, a functionary whose office was somewhat analogous to that of Solicitor General in this country. It arose out of the case of a peculiar assault made upon a lady in that island. That lady subsequently made an application to the other law officer of the Crown, and thereupon the matter was brought before the Royal Court, and proceedings were taken at the instance of the Procureur General, when it was determined by the Court, upon the circumstances of the accusation, that the party accused had been guilty of no crime. In Guernsey, by rather a peculiar process, the whole matter went on in secret—it was a secret inquiry; and the Court having determined that there was no ground for a criminal proceeding, the complaining party was informed that she might bring a civil action. He wished to know whether the right hon. Baronet had any information to give the House on the subject—whether any steps had been taken by the Government to remedy the wrong, and to prevent its recurrence?
§ Sir James Grahamhad received from the Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey (we understood) a statement in substance the same as the hon. and learned Gentleman had just made to the House. That statement directly impugned one of the law officers of the Crown; it was referred to that law officer to give a full explanation of his conduct. At the present moment the accusation rested on the statement only of one party; the officer had not as yet obtained any opportunity of making an explanation; and he was sure the hon. and learned Gentleman, admitting the presumption of innocence in favour of an accused party, would wait until that expiation had been given.
§ Mr. Roebucksaid, there was an accusation also against one of the jurats, who were equivalent to judges in this country. He was a relation of the party criminated, and was charged with tampering with the judges.
§ Sir J. Grahamsaid, the letter from the Lieutenant Governor contained two accusations; one against a law officer of the Crown, and another materially involving the administration of justice, which required more mature consideration on the part of the Government with respect to the means of remedy.
§ Mr. Roebuckobserved, that the judge was removable by the Crown, and wished to know whether any inquiry had been made by the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Sir J. Grahamreplied, that the accusation appeared to him to embrace the large and entire question of the administration of criminal justice. A matter so grave and important, the hon. and learned Member would see, required the most careful consideration.
§ Subject at an end.