§ MR. CAMERONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to a Petition presented to this House, signed by Angus Mackintosh, and to two Petitions from the Commissioners of Supply and Town Council of Inverness, praying that a Committee may be appointed to inquire into the state of the Law with respect to the right of private persons to institute criminal proceedings in Scotland; and, whether, on the part of the Government, he will assent to the appointment of such a Committee next Session?
MR. BRUCE,in reply, said, that he had received Petitions and Memorials on the subject; but inasmuch as the 918 law complained of had been in force in Scotland for the last 120 years, and had generally given satisfaction, it was not his intention to take any stops to alter the law.