§ MR. HOWORTH (Salford, S.)I wish to ask the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to certain paragraphs published in the public Press purporting to be a statement from the wife of the man Sadler, now on his trial for murder, and if such statement has not a tendency seriously to prejudice the case; whether, also, it is not contempt of Court, and if the right hon. Gentleman will see his way to interfere to prevent the publication of such statements, which are calculated to bring about a failure in the administration of justice?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am sorry to say I have not been able to see any papers to-day, and, therefore, have not seen the paragraph in question. I think it is very much to be regretted that the newspapers should seek to gratify public curiosity by publishing any statement not made upon oath with regard to a case pending before a tribunal of the country, especially when those statements are prejudicial to the accused. I will not take upon myself to assert more than this, not having read the paragraph; but I do not hesitate to say such a pub- 1088 lication does seriously interfere with the proper administration of justice.