§ MR. HOWESsaid, he rose to call attention to the Report of the Commission on the Costs of Prosecutions; and to ask 1103 the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill, or take any other steps, in relation to the subject of the said Report? In the year 1851 powers were given to the Home Secretary to promulgate new forms for the allowance of these costs, and that power had been exercised so stringently that, though theoretically the cost of prosecutions were defrayed by the Treasury, in fact at least 16 per cent fell on the counties. The Treasury had also assumed the power of defining the items of which the costs of prosecutions should consist. This led to a constant antagonism between the counties and the Treasury, to say nothing of a large amount of delay and uncertainty.
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, the subject had been under the careful consideration of the Home Office and the Treasury; but, as yet no conclusion had been arrived at, and he was unable, therefore, at present to promise any Bill on the subject.