HC Deb 07 May 1827 vol 17 cc591-2
Mr. Peel

adverted to what he had stated on a former evening, that he would postpone, from that day, the notices which stood relative to the bills for Consolidating the Criminal Law, in order to give an opportunity to the gallant general opposite to bring forward a question immediately interesting to the Shipping concerns of the country. He was now ready to do as he had promised. He had informed his right hon. friend, who had succeeded him in the Home Department, that he was perfectly willing to take any course with those bills that might be consistent with his wishes. He had told him, that he would either continue the management of them through their remaining stages in that House; or, if his right bon. friend chose to take that duty on himself, he would give him every assistance in his power. His right hon. friend thought that, as he (Mr. Peel) had been occupied several months in preparing the clauses, it would accord better with the public interest, as it would probably meet the general concurrence of the House, if he continued to superintend the bills. He assured the House, that he would undertake with the greatest pleasure, both now and at any future period, that, or any other task, having for its object the simplification and consolidation of the criminal code, and the mitigation of severity in the administration of the law. Every exertion he could render for that purpose would be given with the same devotion as if he had remained responsible for the conduct of the Home Department. He should not name a distant day for resuming the progress of those bills, but one sufficiently distant to enable him to have the services, not only of his right hon. friend, but of the Attorney and Solicitor general. He could not avoid adding the expression of the gratification he felt at having received from a noble and learned lord (Tenterden)—at whose elevation to the peerage he cordially rejoiced, and who had contributed so materially to his assistance in framing these bills—a declaration, that, if it pleased the House to send those bills to the House of Lords, he would willingly take charge of them there.—The right hon. gentleman finally named Monday, the 21st, as the day to which he would postpone the orders standing for that evening.