§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether he is aware that, on October 30, in a case pending in the Chancery Division, Practice Master Jenkins refused to receive a written affirmation from a person without religious belief, such person 649 being a Trustee needing to verify a payment into Court, on the ground that the Evidence Amendment Acts, 1869 and 1870, only apply to oral evidence; and, whether Practice Master Jenkins was legally justified in such refusal?
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSER) (Isle of Wight)I have looked into the matter since the Question of the hon. Member appeared upon the Paper, and my present impression is that the practice as laid down by Master Jenkins is right, and, if so, some amendment of the law may be desirable; but I think there is a means of obviating the difficulty without the necessity of further legislation.