§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether, at the November-December sittings of the Mayor's Court, London, one C. B. Snelling repeatedly affirmed as a juryman under the direction of the learned Recorder, although Mr. Snelling had formally brought to the notice of Sir Thomas Chambers the fact that he (Mr. Snelling) was a person without religious belief; and, whether there is any legal authority for permitting a person without religious belief to affirm as a juryman?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight)In consequence of the Question of the hon. Member I have made inquiries and ascertained that a gentleman named Snelling did affirm on the 28th, 29th, and 30th of November, and the 4th of December; that so far from formally bringing to the notice of the Recorder the fact that he (Mr. Snelling) had no religious belief, he simply claimed to affirm, and at least four times made the ordinary affirmation stating that "the taking of an oath was, according to his religious belief, unlawful." With regard to the last part of the hon. Member's Question, I have already stated in this House that there is no legal authority 154 for permitting a person without religious belief to affirm as a juryman.