HC Deb 25 March 1887 vol 312 cc1476-7
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he will grant the Return relating to Trials by Jury (Ireland), which stands on the Paper for Monday?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

I am informed that the information that the hon. Gentleman asks for cannot be prepared from official records; and, inasmuch as it would have to be based on matters of opinion, I am unable to hold out any hope of it being granted.

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman have any objection to give a Return showing, without any comment, the number of convictions and acquittals at the last Spring and Winter Assizes in Ireland?

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, if Notice were given of the Question, no doubt the Attorney General for Ireland would answer it.

MR. JOHN MORLEY (Newcastle-on-Tyne)

inquired whether the Chief Secretary would be prepared, in the course of a week or so, to provide a Return of the number of persons committed for trial, convicted by juries, and so forth; and, whether he would produce it before the termination of the debate on the Criminal Law Amendment Bill?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

replied, that if it was a Return that the Government could furnish it should be done. He would inquire into the matter; but the right hon. Gentleman was aware that there were difficulties in making out such a Return so that it would be intelligible.