§ 74. Mr. TURTONasked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the fact that at Quarter Sessions the majority of the grand jurors are drawn from the farming and other classes, who can ill-afford to spare the time, the Government would introduce a short measure providing that during the continuance of the War no bills of indictment need go before the grand jury but that all prisoners committed should forthwith take their trial before the common jury, as if in each case the grand jury had been duly summoned and a true bill found?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Frederick Smith)I am not aware how far the inconvenience referred to in my hon. Friend's question is widely felt. I understand, however, that there is a representative body of chairmen of Quarter Sessions. An official expression of opinion from this body would naturally receive the most careful attention.