§ MR. HENEAGE (Great Grimsby)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, When he will be in a position to inform the House of the decision of the Lord Chancellor on the conduct of Mr. Newton in the hearing of the charge made against Miss Cass at the Marlborough Street Police Court, on the 29th of June; and, whether the Lord Chancellor has been furnished with a copy of the evidence taken before Sir Charles Warren, so far as it relates to what took place in the police court and the conduct of Mr. Newton?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)The Lord Chancellor thinks it would be very inconvenient at the present time to say more than that he is carefully inquiring into the matter, and that his decision will be communicated as soon as it is arrived at. He is also unwilling, during the progress of the inquiry, to make any statement as to the sources of information which he considers it desirable to consult.
§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Cambourne)also asked the right hon. Gentleman, Whether, pending the inquiry into the case of Miss Cass, it is the intention of the Lord Chancellor to take any action with regard to the position of Mr. Newton, the police magistrate?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe Lord Chancellor is of opinion that it would be impossible for him to determine as to any action to be taken before his own inquiry is complete. I am unable to say whether he will think it necessary to 790 await the result of the inquiry into the conduct of the police constable.
§ MR. CONYBEAREwanted to know whether there was any reason why the superior people should not be suspended as well as the inferior—in other words, if the police constable was suspended, why not the magistrate?
§ MR. MATTHEWSsaid, he knew of no reason. He had endeavoured to answer the Question on the Paper.