§ Mr. Horner, seeing a right hon. gentleman in his place (Mr. Bathurst), who, he thought, would be able to give him some explanation on a subject on which he had presented a petition in the present session, as he had before presented one in the summer, wished to ask, whether any and what steps were in progress for relieving the insolvent debtors in the Isle of Man?
§ Mr. Bathurstwas not satisfied that it was in his power to give the hon. and learned gentleman that detailed information which he might be anxious to receive. A Bill had been sent over from the local jurisdiction in the Isle of Man, the object of which was, to relieve the insolvent debtors there confined. This Bill had been laid before the privy council; and they, upon consideration, thought it right to recommend it to the crown to signify its dissent from the Bill. He believed the objection to that Bill was, that it was thought likely to open a door for persons, contracting debts in this country, to get relieved from such obligation, merely by going to the Isle of Man. Such, at least, it was imagined, might be the effect of this local measure. He, however, was not aware, that any objection was made to giving effect to such arrangements as would afford relief to those who were bona fide inhabitants of the Isle of Man, and whose debts were contracted in that island. It was the wish of government to allow them the benefit of the Insolvency Act, by putting them on the same footing as the insolvent debtors in this country.