§ MR. MONCKTON MILNESsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it would be practicable to lay on the Table of the House the Judicial Statistics of England and Wales, which are made up to the 29th day of September each year before the succeeding Easter Recess; and whether some similar statistics for Scotland might not be appended to the said Report.
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, with regard to the Police and Prisons Statistics, they were furnished from accounts which were made up annually for a year ending on the 29th of September, as that was the close of the official year in the Boroughs and Counties. The Commercial Statistics were made up to the close of the ordinary year on the 31st of December; but owing to the Winter Assizes there was always some delay in their preparation, but he trusted that in future they would always be ready before Easter. He might mention that our Criminal Statistics were published far in advance of those of other countries—France for example.