§ MR. J. F. OSWALDI beg to ask Mr. Attorney General, whether he is aware of the practice of Treasury Counsel making statements of alleged facts (not proved or previously adjudicated upon) to the prejudice of prisoners after con- 568 viction and before sentence, and calculated to influence the judge unfavourably towards them; and, whether steps will be taken to stop such practice?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERALThe practice is not correctly stated in the hon. and learned Member's question. It has for many years been the custom, after a prisoner has been convicted and before he is sentenced, for the presiding Judge to ask for information as to the antecedents of the, prisoner. This information is given on the report of responsible people by counsel, whether instructed by the Treasury or not. Such statements are by no means invariably calculated to prejudice prisoners. The wisdom of such a practice is for the Judges, and, in my opinion, it would not be desirable in the interests of convicted prisoners to put an end to such practice.
§ MR. OSWALDsaid he should take an early opportunity of calling attention to this matter.