§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether Mr. Justice Prinsep, a Puisne Judge of the High Court, Calcutta, has been appointed to the Presidentship of the Commission which is to inquire into the hurried withdrawal of the rights of trial by jury in eight districts of Bengal by Sir Charles Elliott and his Legislative Council; and whether Justice Prinsep has expressed any opinion hostile to trial by jury in India?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLMr. Justice Prinsep has been appointed to act as President of the Commission to which the hon. Member refers. So far as the Secretary of State is aware, Mr.Justice Prinsep has expressed no opinion hostile to trial by jury in India.
§ MR.MACNEILL (Donegal,S.)Is it not a fact that Justice Prinsep, who is now in this country, is advertised to read a Paper on "Trial by Jury in Bengal" before the East India Association and free discussion is invited? Is that consistent with impartiality?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLI am not aware of that fact, but until we see or hear the paper we cannot say what views Justice Prinsep holds on the matter.