Lord Lilfordsaid, he had given notice of his intention to put a question to the noble Lord opposite, in reference to a letter addressed to the governor of the gaol of Northampton, by the Secretary for the Home Department, requiring a statement of all summary convictions under the Game Act, which had taken place in that county. That letter had created considerable observation; and he wished to know under what circumstances it was written, and whether it was intended to cast any imputation on the Magistrates who had made these summary convictions.
§ Lord Wharncliffesaid, certainly no such intention existed. That letter had been addressed to others besides the governor of Northampton Gaol; he believed, indeed, that it was a general circular which had been sent to all the counties. The fact was, that the Secretary for the Home Department found that a great number of convictions took place under the Game Laws, and that many irregularities had occurred. He therefore was anxious to obtain a correct return of convictions under those laws, according to the form pointed out in the letter, in order that such irregularities might be corrected.