§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether, at the Guildhall, Canterbury, on November 10, on the hearing of a charge of embezzlement against one—Hopper, the magistrates, acting on the advice of their clerk, refused to allow J. Nye, who stated that he was without religious belief, to give evidence on affirmation; and, whether this is in accordance with "The Evidence Amendment Act, 1870?"
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight)In reply to the hon. Member, I am informed by the clerk to the magistrates that Nye's evidence was not taken because it was not required, there being ample evidence without his testimony. I have already answered so many Questions of the hon. Member upon the point of law raised in the hon. Member's Question that I must refer him to my previous answers.