HC Deb 19 July 1887 vol 317 cc1349-50
MR. T. E. ELLIS (Merionethshire)

asked Mr. Attorney General, whether the Treasury has applied for a writ of certiorari to remove the trial of the 31 men charged with riot during the collection of tithe at Llangwm; and, if so, upon what grounds?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight)

In reply to the hon. Member, I have to state that, in pursuance of a power vested in the Attorney General, I have caused the proceedings in question to be removed into the Queen's Bench, in order to secure a fair trial. The place of trial is a question which must come before the Court; and, therefore, I cannot say anything upon the subject.

In reply to Mr. T. M. HEALY (Long-ford, N.),

SIR RICHARD WEBSTER

said, there was no change of venue. To remove a case to the Queen's Bench did not involve change of venue.

MR. T. E. ELLIS

reminded the hon. and learned Gentleman that he had not answered the latter part of the Question —namely, upon what grounds had the case been transferred to the Queen's Bench?

SIR RICHARD WEBSTER

I have already said in order to secure a fair trial.

MR. T. E. ELLIS

asked the reason why these men could not have had a fair trial at the Assizes in the County of Denbigh?

SIR RICHARD WEBSTER

As the responsibility rests with me, I must decline to give the grounds for my action.