HC Deb 21 July 1936 vol 315 c246
48. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the cases from time to time of miscarriages of justice in courts of law and of the importance of the maintenance of public confidence in the efficiency and integrity of the judicial system, he will move to set up a Select Committee to inquire into the occurrence of such cases and the causes thereof, and to recommend methods of avoiding miscarriages of justice and reviewing cases in which they are alleged to have occurred?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am not aware to what cases the hon. Member refers. The rules under which legal proceedings are conducted in this country are designed to secure the proper and fair administration of justice. The carrying out of these rules by those entrusted with the responsible duties of administering justice results, I believe, in reducing miscarriages of justice to a minimum. Any instance of any supposed miscarriage of justice which is brought to the attention of the authorities always receives the most careful consideration. I do not think that the appointment of such a committee as is suggested would serve any useful purpose.

Mr. DAVIES

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to look at some of these allegations which I am able to send him?

The PRIME MINISTER

I repeat the answer which I gave just now to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander).