§ MR. STEWART MACLIVERasked Mr. Attorney General, If the scheme for the assize circuits, recently laid upon the Table of the House, is to be deemed conclusive, or is still open to revision; and, whether he has considered if Plymouth, with law courts provided, and double the population of Exeter, might share with that city in the assize business of the county?
§ MR. H. S. NORTHCOTEsaid, before the Question was answered, he wished to ask why Exeter, which was far more 1871 central than Plymouth, should be abandoned?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES),in reply, said, that, in the arrangement of Circuits, the Judges had given the most careful consideration to the claims of Plymouth; but, considering that the Assizes had been previously held at Exeter, and that that city was in the centre of the county, whereas Plymouth was at one extreme end, they had not been able to recommend a change of Assize towns which would deprive Exeter of its vested interests, and would necessitate witnesses and suitors being brought much longer distances to the Assizes.