§ Mr. O'Connellhaving presented a Petition from an individual, complaining of the operation of the Irish Bankruptcy Laws,
Mr. Humeasked the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Stanley), whether it was the intention of the Government to redeem the pledge given last Session with respect to these laws; and whether it was their intention to assimilate the laws of England and Ireland, on the subject of Bankruptcy?
Mr. Stanleyreplied, that he had quite enough on his hands already, and he did not think himself bound by all the pledges of the former Government; but he believed the Bankrupt-laws were under the consideration of the Irish Attorney General, and that some measure on the subject would be brought in as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Lefroysaid, he had lately had some conversation with the Solicitor General for Ireland on this subject, and could say, that it was the intention of that hon. Gentleman to propose the assimilation of the laws of England and Ireland.
Mr. Humesaid, that every Session there was promising, but never performing. He had expected something better,
Mr. Ricesuggested to the hon. member for Middlesex, whether it would not be better to wait a little while, to ascertain the extent of the alterations about to be proposed in the Bankrupt-laws of this country, before they attempted to alter those laws for Ireland, otherwise they might alter this year, only to alter more extensively the next. He was, however, as much in favour of the principle of the alteration as the hon. Member himself.