§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLasked Mr. Attorney General, Whether the delay which has occurred in some of the Bribery Commissions, and the consequent grave apprehension that some of 804 the few most guilty people who might have been prosecuted will escape, is not in some degree due to the fact that all the Commissioners are gentlemen in practice at the bar, and that some of the Commissions were adjourned at the busiest legal season after the Long Vacation; and, whether on such occasions these evils might not be obviated by employing retired Indian and Colonial judges, and other qualified persons, who have not an active legal practice?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)Sir, I will first say I do not share with my hon. Friend his grave apprehensions that any offenders will escape in consequence of the delay in the presentation of the Reports to Parliament. I must also say I think the gentlemen who acted as Commissioners have brought to bear a great deal of industry in preparing their Reports. I think the fact is that there has been a little miscalculation on their part as to the extent to which their labours would be carried. One set of Commissioners had to schedule some 3,000 voters, every one of whom had to be examined. It is not unreasonable to suppose that some delay would occur. The hon. Gentleman asks me whether the evil might not be obviated by employing retired Indian and Colonial Judges and other qualified persons. When I ventured to suggest the names to the House of Commons for their approval, I thought I ought to obtain gentlemen of considerable vigour and practical knowledge. It did not occur to me that I could find such qualities in retired Indian Judges; but if it ever falls to my lot to appoint Commissioners again—which I hope it will not—I will consult my hon. Friend as to whether he knows any retired Indian Judge who possesses these qualities.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLWill the hon. and learned Gentleman be so good as to answer the latter part of the Question—whether, in fact, some of these Commissions were adjourned during the busiest legal season, in consequence of the Commissioners having a large practice at the Bar?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)I am not aware of the extent to which adjournments took place; but no adjournments could take place for more than one week without the consent of my right hon. Friend the Home 805 Secretary, and I believe that permission was never granted without a very careful consideration of the grounds on which the application was made.