§ MR. RUSSELL GURNEY,in moving for leave to introduce a Bill to remove some defects in the administration of the Criminal Law, said, the measure was not one of an extensive nature, and was entirely directed to the removal of evils which had come under his own observation in the Central Criminal Court, in which he had the honour to preside. The House was aware that at present ample means were taken to secure the attendance and provide for the remuneration of witnesses whose evidence was necessary to establish the guilt of the prisoner. He proposed by the Bill to extend that power, so that it should not be confined to the witnesses who were required to establish the prisoner's guilt, but should also apply to witnesses who might establish his innocence. That was a matter of great importance to the due administration of justice. When prisoners made statements in their own defence, he had not unfrequently felt ashamed in asking them whe- 206 ther they had any witnesses to call, knowing, as he did, that they had no pecuniary means of compelling the attendance of witnesses who might or might not prove their innocence. It was, of course, necessary to provide safeguards against the abuse of this privilege, the nature and merits of which would be best considered in Committee. The right hon. Gentleman concluded by moving for leave to bring in the Bill.
THE ATTORNEY GENERALsaid, he was requested by his right hon. Friend the Secretary for the Home Department, who was then absent, to say that any measure on such a subject introduced by the learned Recorder was entitled to great attention and respect. That point of the proposed Bill which provided for the attendance of witnesses on behalf of the accused was entitled to favourable consideration, although the power might be much abused unless carefully guarded. He, of course, offered no opposition to the introduction of the measure; but it must be understood that the Government would reserve to itself the right to form an opinion on the Bill and its details, unless it was laid before the House.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill to remove some defects in the administration of the Criminal Law, ordered to be brought in by Mr. RUSSELL GURNEY and Mr. COLERIDGE.
§ Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 8.]