§ MR. POWELL WILLIAMS (Birmingham, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that difficulties have arisen in relation to procedure under "The Assizes Relief Act, 1889," certain of Her Majesty's Judges holding that, 944 notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, prisoners triable at Quarter Sessions ought to be committed for trial to the Assizes, and other Judges holding otherwise; whether he is aware that, in consequence of such decisions, great doubt exists as to the proper course to be pursued by Magistrates in relation to such committals; and whether he will take steps to provide for a uniform and authorised system of procedure?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOE THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.I am aware that the divergence of practice to which the hon. Member refers exists, and that it gives rise to difficulties in the administration of justice by Magistrates. The matter is one of some complexity, and it is under the consideration of the Lord Chancellor.