§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR, in moving the second reading of this Bill, explained that its principal object was to limit the power possessed by County Court Judges of committing for contempt to cases in which debtors had obtained credit by false pretences, by means of fraud, or breach of trust, or had contracted the debt without reasonable expectation of being able to pay, or had fraudulently made away with their property, or, being in possession of sufficient means, refused or neglected to pay. There was also a clause limiting the time of imprisonment under one judgment to 915 eighty days; but this point required great consideration, and he should not be inclined to press the clause on the present occasion.
§ LORD CRANWORTHthought that the principle of the present law was right. That principle was, that when a man had been found to owe a debt which he neglected to pay, he might be again summoned; he might then be examined by the Judge, with a view to see whether he was able to pay, and if being able he refused, he might be sent to prison. But suppose he did not choose to appear, it was manifest that he would escape altogether. It seemed to him that the Judge ought to have the power to compel the appearance of persons against whom a second summons was taken out.
§ Bill read 2a (according to order) and committed to a Committee of the whole House Tomorrow.
§ House adjourned at quarter past Seven o'clock, till To-morrow, Half-past Ten o'clock.