TRIAL BY PEERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22406, 30 April 1936, Page 11

TRIAL BY PEERS

ABOLITION OF PRIVILEGE SECOND READING OF BILL (Received April 29, 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, April £8 Viscount Sankey's bill for the abolition of a peer's privilege of trial by his peers received its second reading in the House of Lords this evening by 62 votes to 35. The Lord Chancellor, Viscount Hailsham, urged the Government's supporters to vote for the bill, while explaining that he could not, in the prosent crowded state of business, promise that the Government could find time for its passage into law. The bill was introduced as a result of the trial of Lord de Clifford in the House of Lords some months ago on a motoring charge, of which he was acquitted.

Lord de Clifford was driving a car which came into collision with one driven by Douglas Hopkins, who was killed. He was committed for trial by a Kingston magistrate on August 28. Both Lord de Clifford and Dtfuglas Hopkins wero racing motorists. It was decided on September 10 at the Old Bailey that the trial must bo transferred to the House of Lords for the trial of accused by his peers. Questions were asked later in the House of Commons as to the cost of the trial, and the estimated charge to the public funds was given by the Attorney-General, Sir Thomas Inskip, as £7OO.