§ MR. SUMMERSI beg to ask the Attorney General, since it is provided by 42 and 43 Vic. c. 22, that the Public Prosecutor shall institute criminal proceedings under the superintendence of the Attorney General, and that the Attorney General may in a special case direct the Public Prosecutor to institute criminal proceedings, whether, in the inquiries which he is making into the case of "Evelyn v. Hurlbert," the Public Prosecutor is acting, according to the Statute, "under the superintendence of the Attorney General;" and whether he has given, or intends to give, the Public Prosecutor directions as to the action which he is to take, or to abstain from taking, upon the evidence in this case?
SIR R. WEBSTERIn this case I have followed the practice which has been pursued by previous Law Officers, namely, that in any case in which the Attorney General cannot from his connection with the case interfere in the matter, should the Director of Public Prosecutions require to take advice, he will consult the Solicitor General. I have not given, nor have I any intention of giving, the Public Prosecutor any directions as to the action which he should take or abstain from taking.
§ MR. SUMMERSWill the hon. and learned Gentleman give the date on which he instructed the Solicitor General?
SIR R. WEBSTERI have not instructed the Solicitor General. It is for the Director of Public Prosecutions to apply to the Solicitor General if he desires information or advice. I gave directions to the Public Prosecutor on the very day on which I directed that the shorthand notes of the trial should be forwarded to him.