§ Mr. Secretary Peel moved, "for leave to bring in a Bill to extend the times of Sitting in Sessions at Westminster." At present there were four sessions in the year in Westminster, and eight in Middlesex. By the terms of their commission the magistrates of Westminster were at liberty, like those of Middlesex, to sit as often as they found it convenient; but at present they could not hold any sessions at Westminster during term, or while the judges of the King's-bench sat in Westminster-hall. The object of his bill was, therefore, to enable the magistrates to hold sessions when they pleased, notwithstanding the sittings of the judges of the King's-bench. At present, they held but four sessions yearly; and the consequence was, that an offender was frequently detained in confinement for three months before he was brought to trial, and then, perhaps he was only sentenced to a confinement of one month; so that, in fact, the confinement of the man, who must be looked upon as not deserving such confinement until he had been convicted, was three times greater before trial than after he was found guilty of the offence. He apprehended, therefore, that it would be a 1049 matter of general convenience, as well as of justice, that the sessions of Westminster should be held as frequently as those of Middlesex; and he should, therefore, move, "for leave to bring in a Bill to enable Justices of the Peace for Westminster to hold their Sessions of the Peace during the Term, and the Sitting of the Court of King's-bench."—Leave was given.