§ Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Question [25th May], "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ Question again proposed.
§ Debate resumed.
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONsaid, the object of the Bill was to simplify the registration of criminals, and thus make the system more effectual for the prevention of crime. At present there were 169,521 names on the register, and the number was increasing at the rate of 28,000 a-year. A large number of names were registered for trifling offences and for juvenile offences; and numbers entered made the registry of comparatively little value for purposes of reference. The Bill would empower the Secretary of State to limit the number of crimes for which registration would be necessary, and make the system more handy and practical, than the cumbrous system which now existed.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Thursday next.