HC Deb 19 March 1896 vol 38 cc1358-9
MR. HUBERT DUNCOMBE (Cumberland, Egremont)

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General whether his attention has been called to the fact that 25 days and two Judges have been occupied in trying an election petition, which has failed on every point; whether he is aware that the successful respondent must be mulcted in any case of several thousand pounds; and whether he will consider the advisability of bringing in a Bill to provide that Election Judges shall have the power of summarily stopping petitions which in their opinion are frivolous or vexatious until adequate security for costs has been paid into Court?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER,) Isle of Wight

I must refer the hon. Member to my answers to previous Questions; I have been in communication with some of Her Majesty's Judges, and the matter will receive full consideration as soon as the pending trials have concluded.

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