HC Deb 20 June 1889 vol 337 cc316-7
MR. JOHN KELLY

I beg to ask the Attorney General the reason for the long delay on the part of the Crown in closing the pleadings in the case of "The Attorney General v. Pritchard Morgan;" whether, on 22nd May last, Mr. T. W. Gorst, the Solicitor to the Woods and Forests, received a letter from the Solicitors to the defendant, in which they complained of such delay, and reiterated the fact that the defendant was most anxious to have the case disposed of at the earliest possible date; and, if so, why Mr. Gorst has never returned any answer of any kind to such letter; and, whether, in view of the fact that the uncertainty arising from the continued delay in the case of "The Attorney General v. Pritchard Morgan," has been the cause of mining operations upon several properties having entirely ceased, and has led, and is still leading, to a large number of persons being deprived of employment, he is prepared to give any undertaking that the case will be set down for trial at once, and that all necessary steps will be taken on behalf of the Crown for expediting the hearing?

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir R. WEBSTER,) Isle of Wight

In answer to the question of the hon. and learned Member, I have to say that on the part of the Crown there has been no delay in this case. The letter referred to was duly answered on the 24th of May, in the following terms by Mr. Gorst— I am in receipt of your letter of the 22nd inst. I have every desire to dispose of this matter without delay, and trust you will assist me by expediting as much as possible the filing of the affidavit of documents and the inspection thereof. Mr. Pritchard Morgan subsequently obtained an extension of the time for filing the affidavit of documents until June 19th, and he has as yet given no notice of the filing of that affidavit. I am not aware of the stoppage of any mining operations in consequence of the case of "The Attorney-General v. Pritchard-Morgan."