§ MR. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been called to the decision of the magistrates at the Lanchester Petty Sessions, county Durham, on the 5th instant, in fining a miner named Fletcher for making cartridges 1514 with blasting powder in his own house, which cartridge he was going to use in his occupation in the Stanley Colliery, county Durham; and, whether, considering the decision is one that affects the whole mining interest of the Country, there are any means of ascertaining if the decision of the magistrates is in conformity with the provisions of the Explosive Act under which Fletcher was tried and convicted?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSI am informed that this case will be brought before a superior Court; and, if so, the case will be decided; and I do not think that I should be justified in giving an opinion as to a question of law in a matter which is sub judice.