HC Deb 30 July 1891 vol 356 c770
MR. PICKERSGILL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the following observations of Mr. Justice Wills at the Staffordshire Summer Assizes:— It is the practice at most large gaols for the officials to go round a week before the trial and ask if prisoners desire to have any witnesses sent for. I wish this were customary at all gaols, as it is only right that it should be; and whether he will give directions that this practice shall be adopted at all gaols?

MR. MATTHEWS

I have not seen the observations of the learned Judge; but the practice which he commends seems to me to be a good one, and I have no objection to giving an order for its general adoption.