HC Deb 25 March 1823 vol 8 c704
Dr. Lushington

rose to move for leave to bring in a bill to amend the laws respecting Forgery. He wished to correct certain defective enactments, but did not propose to alter the punishment of the crime. He did not wish to inflict capital punishment where it was not at present inflicted, nor to take it away from those crimes to which it was now applied. He proposed, however, to make certain offences penal which could not be punished at present. The destruction of a will was one of these. That offence was not properly provided against at present; yet the crime was not one of rare occurrence. His intention was to bring in the bill, in order that it might stand over to next session. The learned member concluded by moving, "for leave to bring in a bill to consolidate, amend, and declare certain general provisions relating to the crime of Forgery."—"—The motion was agreed to.