§ MR. COBBI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Homo Department whether he will give a Return, if moved for, of the names of the persons who were on the 1st January, 1891, in prison for contempt of Court, with the respective dates of their committal and the nature of their offence?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe Prison Authorities inform me that they have no means of supplying information as to the "nature" of the contempt of Court in the several cases; and I see no public advantage in giving the names of persons in such a Return. I am, therefore, unable to assent to this Return.
§ MR. COBBWill the right hon. Gentleman say how many persons are now in prison for contempt of Court
§ MR. MATTHEWSI will obtain the information if the hon. Gentleman requires it.