§ Mr. ALBERT SMITHasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the case of two labourers who were found not guilty at the East Kent Quarter Sessions of the theft of a piece of sailcloth, valued at 5s., after being in custody three months awaiting trial; whether he is aware that Lord Harris referred to the 2206W case in his charge to the grand jury, and said that it seemed to him some amendment of the law was required to bring a person up for trial at an earlier period; whether his attention has also been drawn to the case of Alexander Anderson, who was bound over at the Northumberland Quarter Sessions on a charge of stealing a loaf of bread after being in custody since the 13th of September awaiting trial; and whether consideration will be given to the need for an amendment of the law on the lines indicated?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am aware of the hardship that may sometimes be caused to defendants by the length of time that may elapse before the charge against them can be tried, and magistrates have repeatedly been asked to remedy this as far as possible by granting bail freely. The matter is a difficult one, and I am afraid I cannot hold out any prospect of legislation with regard to it at present. I will, however, communicate with Lord Harris, and see whether in Kent the occurrence of such cases could be avoided by holding adjourned sessions at intervals between the ordinary Quarter Sessions as is done in London and Middlesex.