§ MR. ALEXANDER M'ARTHURasked the Under Secretary of State for 1857 India, Whether before the Ilbert Bill was modified with a view to extend the right of trial by jury in the ease of English prisoners, the opinion of the local governments of India was obtained as to whether such a change could be made without considerable administrative inconvenience; and, if not, whether Her Majesty's Government will, before assenting to the measure, take steps to ascertain if the compromise will in any way injure or impede the administration of justice?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSSir, there is no intention of instituting the inquiries suggested, the matter having already been considered by the Government of India. No special reference was made to the Local Governments as regards this particular modification. But the question was, in some cases, referred to in their opinions on the original Bill. And the Papers already presented show that one of the recommendations of the Government of Bombay was that European British subjects brought for trial before any Sessions Judge should have the right to claim a jury.