§ SIR THOMAS DEWARI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at the Somerset Assizes at Taunton on the 4th instant, Mr. Justice Wright commented on the fact that several prisoners awaiting their trial had been kept in prison several months without being afforded an opportunity of bail; and will he consider the expediency of ordering an inquiry on the subject.
*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sThis is a matter which constantly engages the attention of the Home Department, and steps are taken from time to time, by circular or otherwise, to bring specially to the notice of magistrates their powers and duties in the matter of admitting prisoners to bail. I am not clear as to what kind of inquiry my hon. friend has in mind; and for myself I cannot do more than say that I will carefully consider whether some further action in the direction indicated above can usefully be taken.