§ MR. THOMSON HANKEYsaid, he wished to ask Mr. Attorney General, Whether his attention has been called to the case of certain Trustees for distributing charitable funds for the relief of Poor Debtors, who are now precluded from disposing of such funds in consequence of the abolition of the Queen's Bench Prison; and, whether he is prepared to sanction any fresh scheme for the application of such funds?
THE ATTORNEY GENERALsaid, in reply, that the matter alluded to by the hon. Member had been for a considerable period under the consideration of the Government. The Secretary of State for the Home Department had called the attention of the late Lord Chancellor to the matter, and in December, 1863, a Report was directed to be drawn up. In last autumn the matter was laid before him, and he directed the solicitor who transacts such business for him to make an application to Chancery. The application was made, and in December last the Master of the Rolls made a Rule directing the necessary steps to be taken.