§ Sir Richard Musgravesaid, he rose for the purpose of asking leave to bring in a Bill, the principal object of which was to consolidate the laws relating to the civil functions of Grand Juries in Ireland, and to promote the extension of Public Works. It was unnecessary for him to say much on the importance of public works. The principal design in introducing the Bill was to afford employment to the able-bodied labourer. He had already brought forward a Bill for the relief of the helpless poor. If, in addition to these measures, a certain control over the expenditure of counties were given to the Board of Works, in Ireland, a complete system of employment and relief would be established. The laws 577 relating to the civil duties of Grand Juries were 100 in number. They were so numerous and their provisions so complicated that even the judges and counsel on circuit hardly professed to understand them. By the proposed Bill, all these laws would be consolidated, and this, he conceived, would confer a great public benefit. To consolidate these laws, and to frame the other important provisions now proposed, was a work of great difficulty and of very great labour. It had been undertaken by Mr. Harrison of Lincoln's Inn, and by a relative of his (Sir Richard's) who had devoted much attention to the state of Ireland. Hon. Members, on reading the Bill, would find that the task had been accomplished with ability. In the present state of the House, he would not detain hon. Members longer. He therefore moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the administration of certain civil affairs of a local nature in Ireland.
§ Leave given.