The Lord Chancellorbrought up the Report from the Select Committee on those Bills. That the Committee had met and considered the said Bills, and examined witnesses in relation thereto, and have directed the first mentioned Bills to be reported, with Amendments; and are of opinion, that the said last mentioned Bill should not be proceeded with.
Lord Broughamsaid, that this Bill had the humane object of relieving from imprisonment for debt numbers of unfortunate persons who were now so confined, and, amongst others, those who were imprisoned under the orders of the 280 Courts of Request, or Small Debts Courts, whose sufferings were really enough to make one's hair stand on end—any thing so abhorrent as the treatment of these unhappy people could not be imagined to exist in a civilized country. His noble and learned Friend had introduced provisions in the Bill which practically abolished, without limitation, all imprisonment for debts not amounting to 20l. There were other remedial provisions which tended substantially, although not in form, to abolish imprisonment in all cases in which it ought to be abolished, where there was no fraud, or pertinacity, or undue extravagance. As every day at this period of the Session was of importance, and as anything which would impede the passing of the Bill this Session involved the risk of detaining these persons in confinement during the long vacation, he hoped there would be no objection to forthwith referring the Report of the Select Committee to the Committee of the whole House, and he should move that 1000 the House should now resolve itself into Committee for that purpose.
Lord Campbellobjected to any step being taken in the absence of Lord Cottenham, who took a deep interest in the subject, and without notice to him.
§ After some conversation it was ordered that the Report should be printed, and that the House should go into Committee on the Bill to-morrow.