§ Lord J. Russell, in moving the House to agree to the Lords' Amendments in the Bribery at Elections Bill, expressed his regret that the bill should have been so much altered as only to leave one clause of the many sent up from this House. He begged to observe, that it was utterly untrue, as had been suggested, that this measure had been produced without due consideration. The bill was framed upon a measure introduced some years ago by the right hon. Member for the county of Montgomery (Mr. C. W. Wynn), and had been introduced by him (Lord J. Russell) last Session. He regretted the omission of the clauses struck out by the Lords, because it would prevent that searching inquiry which was necessary in questions of bribery. However, there still remained in the bill as sent down one clause which settled a point upon which there had been so much difference of opinion in election committees—he alluded to the point as to the proof of agency before acts of bribery were admissible in evidence, and, therefore, though so much of the bill had been struck out, he was willing to accept the bill as amended, rather than lose the benefit and advantage of the small portion that remained.
§ Motion agreed to.