§ Order for Second Reading read.
THE ATTORNEY GENERALsaid, he must appeal to the hon. and learned Member for Leominster (Mr. J. G. Phillimore) who had charge of the Bill, not to press it at this moment. He had, on a former occasion, assured the hon. and learned Member that the matter was under the consideration of the Government, and that some scheme on the subject would be submitted to the House in the course of the present Session. Since giving that assurance, he had taken occasion to communicate with his right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate and also with his hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor General for Ireland, and had used every effort to obtain all the information possible, and he hoped shortly to be able to submit to the Government a scheme for a measure on the subject, with a view of proceeding with it this Session. The hon. and learned Gentleman would admit that the subject was best left in the hands of the Government, and he could assure the hon. and learned Member that he was losing no time. He hoped the second reading would not now be pressed.
§ MR. J. G. PHILLIMOREsaid, he thought that, after these very explicit assurances of the hon. and learned Gentleman, he would be justified in acceding to his request, as he had no other motive than to remove a great evil, which he thought would best be done by complying with his hon. and learned Friend's wish.
§ Second reading deferred till Thursday, 30th March.
§ The House adjourned at half after Nine o'clock.