HC Deb 14 February 1887 vol 310 cc1389-90
MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether he is aware that it is commonly alleged that Crown Solicitors in Ireland, when a jury has disagreed in any criminal case of a particular character, cause inquiries to be made to ascertain the names of the jurors in favour of an acquittal, and afterwards exclude such jurors from serving on criminal trials by ordering them to stand by; and, whether he will cause a public inquiry to be instituted in the matter, with a view to ascertaining the truth of such allegations?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. HOLMES) (Dublin University)

I never heard of the allegation referred to by the hon. Gentleman in his Question.

MR. MAURICE HEALY

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman cause inquiries to be made to ascertain the truth of the statement?

[No reply.]

MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether there is any reason why, having regard to the public interest excited by the matter, Crown Solicitors should not be directed to keep a record of the number and names of jurors ordered by them to stand by on criminal trials in Ireland; whether any check at present exists on the possible abuse of this power by Crown Solicitors; whether any means exist by which these gentlemen, in the absence of any record, can accurately answer official inquiries which may subsequently be made; whether there is anything in connection with the exercise of this power which the Crown consider it expedient to keep secret; and, whether, if not, he will issue instructions to Crown Solicitors to keep such a record of jurors ordered to stand by as may afterwards be available for reference?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)

This Question relates to a legal matter on which my opinion is not very valuable, nor is it my duty to give instructions. But, as the hon. Member asks for my opinion, I may say that there exists already the best possible check on any abuse of this power in the publicity under which it is exercised. It is exercised in open Court, and anyone can, therefore, at once ascertain all that occurs in any particular case.