§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Attorney General whether his attention had been called to a case recently before the Usk Quarter Sessions in which the Chairman discharged the Jury owing to its having been entertained at luncheon by the prosecutors in the case; and whether he proposes to direct any proceedings in respect of the matter?
§ The ATTORNEY - GENERAL (Sir William Robson)I am informed that on the adjournment of the Court for luncheon the prosecutor went with a number of other persons to a neighbouring public-house. He happens to be a mineral water manufacturer, and in order, as it is said, to curry favour with the landlord, whom he desired to have for a customer, he ordered drinks for all the persons present, four of whom happened to be jurymen. This was brought to the knowledge of the Chairman, who discharged the jury and severely reprimanded the prosecutor. It was not suggested that the men were treated because they were on the jury. Having regard to the explanation offered and to all the facts, I do not propose to take any proceedings.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYMay I ask the hon. and learned Gentleman if he is familiar with the procedure known as contempt of court, and if he does not think this a convenient opportunity of coming to the assistance of the Treasury with a contribution such as was extracted from a Member of this House in a recent case?