§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)had given notice to ask the Secretary of State for India whether Sir Charles Paul, the Advocate-General of Bengal, is at present in Europe; what is the period of his leave of absence from India; whether anyone has been appointed to discharge the duties of the office, some of which are of a quasi-judicial character, during his absence; and, in particular, to whom can a person erroneously convicted apply for a certificate that there was error in the decision in point of law, as provided by Section 25 of the Letters Patent of 1865; and who is empowered, in a case tried by a High Court, to enter a nolle prosequi, in pursuance of Section 333 of the Criminal Procedure Code. On the Question being called the hon. Member said he understood that Mr. Woodroffe had been appointed to the office, but he would like to know what interval elapsed between Sir Charles Paul's departure and the appointment of fns successor.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingI cannot say exactly, probably a month or two. Sir Charles Paul is at 470 present in Europe on leave, which expires on the 31st December, 1899. Mr. J. T. Woodroffe, of the Calcutta Bar, has been appointed to discharge the duties of his office, including those mentioned in the third and fourth paragraphs of the Question, during his absence.