MR. RENTON (Denbigh, &c.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the remarks of Mr. Justice Butt, at Swansea, as to the alleged prevalence of forged wills in the Principality of Wales; and, whether he will lay upon the Table a Statement as to the number of convictions in matters of this nature which have been recorded on the Welsh Circuit during the last 10 years?
§ MR. DILLWYN (Swansea, Town)suggested that the Return might be made to extend to the whole Kingdom.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)The learned Judge informs me that the remarks referred to were not made by him at Swansea, but in the case of "Williams v. Mainwaring," tried in London on the 8th instant. These remarks were called forth by the fact that this was the second case of the forgery of a Welsh will tried by him within six months. The Judge has no knowledge 445 of convictions for forgery on the Welsh Circuit. Under those circumstances, my hon. Friend may not think it necessary to press for the Return he asks for.
§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)inquired whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that in one case the Public Prosecutor had bean directed by the Judge to prosecute six months ago, and that up to the present time no proceedings had been taken?
§ MR. MATTHEWSrequested that Notice might be given of the Question.