HC Deb 01 May 1893 vol 11 cc1625-6
MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the remarks of Mr. Justice Hawkins in a recent trial in which he states that there is no Criminal Law which will punish a Director who scandalously neglects his duty, though he takes his money; and whether, in the public interest, the Government contemplate legislation to amend the law, as stated by Mr. Justice Hawkins to be necessary?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.

Yes; but I agree with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, who, in answer to a similar question addressed to him by the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne on Friday last, stated that he did not think that Parliament could be called on to undertake at the present time so comprehensive a revision of the law as would be necessary to deal with this matter. In the meantime, the matter will be considered by the Attorney General.