asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to a Petition presented to this House, signed by Angus Mackintosh, and to two Petitions from the Commissioners of Supply and Town Council of Inverness, praying that a Committee may be appointed to inquire into the state of the Law with respect to the right of private persons to institute criminal proceedings in Scotland; and, whether, on the part of the Government, he will assent to the appointment of such a Committee next Session?

in reply, said, that he had received Petitions and Memorials on the subject; but inasmuch as the law complained of had been in force in Scotland for the last 120 years, and had generally given satisfaction, it was not his intention to take any stops to alter the law.

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board, If the Local Government Board has received any returns as to the number of votes lost at the election of guardians through informality in filling up voting papers; and, if so, if the very great percentage of such votes lost through the use of the voting paper is such as to render it desirable to take into consideration proposals for altering the present mode of election, and if any proposals have been made from any Union for such alteration?

in reply, said, that no Returns had been made upon the subject, but he was aware that owing to informalities, a considerable number of votes had been lost. Proposals with reference to this subject had been made by several Boards of Guardians, and were now under consideration, and several of those proposals were to the effect that the voting should be by ballot.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether lie can state what measures have been or are being taken in view of the withdrawal of the Public Prosecutors Bill to fulfil the pledge given by the Government in 1872 to provide a remedy for the grievances admitted to exist in connection with the disallowances of expenses of Criminal Prosecutions?

in reply, said, that, as the hon. Member was aware, the Public Prosecutors Bill would, if it had been passed, have settled this question satisfactorily. Meanwhile, it was impossible that the Treasury supervision over expenses should be discontinued. He had, however, taken care that it should be exercised with due consideration for all parties concerned, and since that time he believed no complaint had been made of anything like unfair or improper treatment.

asked the hon. Member for the Border Burghs, What course he intends to pursue on the Household Franchise (Counties) Bill?

in reply, said, that many hon. Gentlemen had communicated to him their desire that an opportunity should be afforded for taking a division on this subject. As, however, that was the last week in which any satisfactory expression of the opinion of the House could be taken, he felt he should be best consulting the general convenience by moving that the Order for the English and Scotch Bills should be read and discharged. It was, however, his intention to reintroduce them at an early period next Session.