MR. JAMESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in the case of the recent atrocity at Rochdale, where, according to the reports in the newspapers, the drunken murderer slowly kicked his wife to death, for which he has since been convicted and sentenced to death, If steps have been taken to ascertain whether drink was supplied to the murderer in any public house or beershop when already in a drunken state; and, if so, what means are being taken to prosecute those who have thus contravened the Law?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS,in reply, said, that before he had written on the subject, the local authorities, after due inquiries, had come to the conclusion that the convict had been improperly served with drink in a public-house while already in a drunken state. An information had been taken out against the offending publican and the case was to have been heard before the magistrates 1755 that day. Every endeavour would be made to obtain evidence so as to convict the offender.