§ MR. T. W. LEGH (Lancashire, Newton)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the statement of the Lord Chancellor on 11th June, he will institute an Inquiry into the moneys and fees received by or on behalf of High Sheriffs of counties in pursuance of their office, with the object of redressing the admitted grievance of 1258 requiring individuals to bear part of the cost of the administration of justice and of the execution of the law.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.The profits of Under-Sheriffs formed the subject of inquiry by the House of Lords Committee of 1893 and 1894, and figures bearing on the question will be found in the report and evidence by that Committee. It is very doubtful whether anything further could be ascertained by Government, which has no power to compel Under-Sheriffs to disclose their profits.