§ 67. Mr. J. P. MORRISasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the criticisms from judges and recorders of sessions, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation for the abolition of grand juries at quarter sessions?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir Herbert Samuel)Recent expressions of opinions by judicial and other authorities have been both for and against this proposal. I would welcome further expressions of view, but in any case there can be no opportunity for legislation of this character in present circumstances.
§ Mr. MORRISHaving regard, first, to the very small number of Bills cut by grand juries at Quarter Sessions, and then only at the direction of the Recorder, and, secondly, to the inconvenience, loss of time, and dislocation of trade caused to an over-burdened and harassed business community, will the right hon. Gentleman bring to bear an unprejudiced mind in a re-examination of this question?
§ Sir H. SAMUELYes, Sir. I always do that.