§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, When, and in what form, the House will be asked to vote the money to compensate the men originally convicted in the Edlingham burglary case; and, whether, before that is done, he will lay before the House Papers to enable Members to understand the case, and judge of the conduct of the police and other parties concerned?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)My right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Treasury stated in the House last night when, and in what form, this money would be voted. There are no papers in my possession which it would be proper to lay on the Table of the House. If the hon. Member wishes to see the depositions in the cases tried in 1873 and in the present year, and will call at the Home Office, I shall be happy to let him see them.
§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)Did not the First Lord of the Treasury say that the Estimates would not be presented before next Session; and that if the money were required before that time it would be placed upon the Contingency Fund? Is it not possible to allow the question to be discussed in the House before the arrangements are completed?
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLFrom what source, and by what process, is this money to be advanced?
§ MR. MATTHEWSIf there be any necessity for immediate payment the money will be advanced from the Contingency Fund. It would be hardly possible to delay the compensation until next Session.
§ MR. CONYBEAREHave the wishes of the men been consulted in any way?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe wishes of their friends and advisers have been consulted.