§ SIR FREDERICK MILNERasked Mr. Attorney General, If his attention has been called to the case of Regina v. Mack, or Joyce, and to the statements of the learned judge, as to the careless way in which the affidavits therein concerned were drawn; whether culpable negligence was shown on that occasion, by taking the affidavits of men of no character, without due caution and inquiry; and, whether he will give the matter his careful attention, and, if possible, so amend the Law as to render the recurrence of such proceedings impossible?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES),in reply, said, he had 882 no access to any information upon the subject which was not open to everyone else. It was quite impossible for him to express an opinion condemnatory of any persons whose case had never been stated to him, and who had not had an opportunity of giving their own views on the subject. As to the question whether he would endeavour to amend the law, he could not see how he could make a declaration on the point; but if the hon. Baronet would make any suggestion he should be very happy to consider it.
§ SIR FREDERICK MILNERIf I supply the hon. and learned Gentleman with full details of the facts of the case, will he, as Law Officer of the Crown, express an opinion?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)I do not wish to be discourteous to the hon. Baronet; but I fail to see why I ought to express any condemnatory opinion.