Lord Brougham, in moving, that the committee on the Copyhold's Enfranchisement Bill be fixed for next Thursday, said, he was anxious an early day should be fixed for the committee, in order that no delay should take place in for- 1132 warding the bill. It had been fully discussed in the Select Committee, and he was confident, from the unanimity which had prevailed there, that it would pass through the House without any further alteration. He felt on this account perfectly secure in leaving it in the hands of the noble Lords who had taken part in the proceedings of the Select Committee, especially the noble Lord (Lord Redesdale), and his noble and learned Friends (Lords Devon and Lyndhurst), so that his (Lord Brougham), leaving town before the stage, which remained, could have no kind of effect in delaying the measure. It had been most incorrectly stated, that his being abroad last year had caused the last year's bill to be postponed, whereas it was well known, that there was ample time for it being passed after his return at the end of May, but the Chancery committee, having the same Members with the select committee on the bill, had in reality been the cause of the postponement. He was now perfectly confident that his absence could not make the least difference in the present bill passing, as every part of it had been fully discussed in the many sittings of the committee, and he regarded the adoption of the alterations by the House as quite certain.
§ Bill to be committed on Thursday.