§ MR. BIGGARasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will grant permission to Mr. Elworthy, parliamentary agent of the 629 Criminal Law Amendment Association, to take with Mm to the gaol where Perryman is incarcerated a Commissioner to take a statutory declaration of the prisoner, and for him to sign a Petition to the House of Commons setting forth his innocence, of which the Society is satisfied, and that Mr. Elworthy and the Council of the Society may have access to the handkerchief with which the deceased was hanged?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, he could not understand why this application was not made to him in the usual form at the Home Office, instead of by way of Question in the House. He was not prepared to deviate from the rules and the usual practice as to visits to convicts under penal servitude. The prisoner was at liberty to sign any statement or Petition to the Secretary of State if he desired, but he could not be allowed to be visited by a legal officer with a Petition prepared by others outside. The handkerchief in question, was produced at the trial, and was handed over to the police, who would certainly allow it to be inspected under proper restrictions; and one gentleman interested in the prisoner's case was so informed some time ago.