§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS, Birmingham, E.)I do not know if the House will be content to treat this Bill in the same manner. The Bill is of a simple character. It proposes to reduce the minimum term of penal servitude to three years, and to make some minor changes with regard to penal servitude and the prevention of crimes. I propose that it shall be referred to the Law Committee.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Matthews.)
§ MR. H. H. FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)I presume the right hon. Gentleman will allow an interval to elapse before putting down the Bill for the Committee stage?
§ MR. MATTHEWSIt is my intention to move that the Bill be referred to the Standing Committee on Law.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)May I ask does the Bill extend to Ireland?
§ MR. MATTHEWSCertainly, that is the intention.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Thursday.