§ Viscount Melbourne, moved the Second Reading of the Grand Juries' (Ireland) Bill.
626The Earl of Wicklowadmitted the necessity of some alteration in the law, but contended that great exaggeration bad taken place with respect to the evils of the existing system. He regretted that, at so late a period of the Session, so important a Bill should be persevered in, especially as the measure was opposed to the general wish of the Irish Magistracy; they doubting that it would work well; although, he confessed, that in that doubt he did not coincide. He was apprehensive, however that though the principles of the measure were good, they had not been sufficiently matured. He was prepared to state several objections to the clauses, which he hoped would be amended in the Committee.
The Marquess of Westmeath, although he thought that there were some parts of the Bill which would require Amendment, was of opinion that there were many good features in the measure, and that it ought to be persevered in. As had been candidly admitted by the supporters of the Bill in the other House, experience would suggest the inconveniences which it would be necessary to remedy.
Lord Plunkett, while he coincided with the noble Earl that the evils of the Grand Jury system had been greatly exaggerated, yet maintained that some measure like the present was necessary to remedy those which really existed.
§ Bill read a second time.