§ MR. ADKINS (Lancashire, Middleton)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, owing to the death of the Recorder of Grimsby, on the 8th of April, two days before the day fixed by him for the holding of the quarter sessions, the deputy he had duly appointed could not legally sit, and in consequence the sessions were adjourned for a month by the mayor, and seventeen prisoners were remanded in custody to Hull prison; and whether, seeing that there is no statutory provision for the temporary discharge of the duties of a deceased recorder, pending the appointment of a permanent successor, the Government will initiate legislation to supply the want and to prevent the delay of justice, and the public inconvenience caused by the present state of the law.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I am aware of the facts stated, and I have already a Bill in draft to meet similar contingencies in future, which will, I hope, be introduced at an early date.