§ MR. H. C. RICHARDS () Finsbury, E.To ask Mr. Attorney General if his attention has been called to 444 the remarks of the Recorder of London in the recent bankruptcy prosecution at the Central Criminal Court; will he say by whose direction was the prosecution instituted; and will he give instructions that in future prosecutions he will refuse to allow more than a reasonable number of counts in the indictment; and that unless the interests of public justice demand a warrant, the proceedings shall be initiated by information and summons only.
(Answered by Sir Robert Finlay.) My attention has been called to the matters referred to in this Question. The prosecution was instituted by the directions of the director of public prosecutions. The number of counts to be inserted in any indictment must depend on the circumstances of each case. The case in question was of a very complicated and intricate nature, and the indictment was no longer than was necessary in the opinion of the very able and experienced counsel by whom it was prepared. It is, of course, preferable that proceedings should be commenced by summons, but it is impossible to lay down any fixed rule as to the circumstances which may render a warrent expedient.