HC Deb 09 May 1879 vol 246 c16
SIR EARDLEY WILMOT

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he has any objection to lay upon the table in the Library the Documents and Papers relating to the case of Edmund Galley, who, with one Oliver, was convicted of murder at Exeter in 1836, was afterwards reprieved, and is now a shepherd in New South Wales?

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

Sir, I may state, with reference to Galley, that he is not now undergoing punishment beyond that of being kept abroad. With regard to the main question, this case was decided by Earl Russell when he held the Office I have the honour to hold, and he had a great deal of communication with the late Mr. Justice Williams and the late Lord Denman on the subject. Papers passed not only between him and these Judges, but also between them and my other Predecessors. All these communications, invariably on the ground of public interest, have been considered as confidential, and I certainly am not inclined to depart from that rule.

SIR EARDLEY WILMOT

asked, Whether the sole surviving juryman who heard the case had not addressed a strong appeal to the Secretary of State upon the subject?

[No reply was given to this Question.]