§ SIR MASSEY LOPESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, What course he intends to pursue in order to give effect to the assurance given by the Government last Session that they would not continue the disallowance of Taxed Costs of Criminal Prosecutions?
MR. BRUCE,in reply, said, he thought if the hon. Baronet would refer to the answer which he had made he would see that he had rather overstated the case. What he stated last July was that he hoped as soon as possible by legislation to find a substitute for the system which had created so much discontent; but that in the meantime care would be taken to apply the present system with as much elasticity and consideration for local interests as the public interests would permit. Since he gave that assurance, he hoped the business of the office had been conducted in that spirit. It was the intention of the Government to deal this Session with the question of a public prosecutor, whereby he hoped that difficult matter would be solved. A Bill would have been already introduced, had not the Government desired to have the benefit of the advice and assistance of the Judicature Commission on the subject.