HC Deb 12 May 1834 vol 23 cc878-9
The Solicitor-General

rose, to move the second reading of the Central Criminal Courts' Bill. He did not anticipate there would be any objection to allowing the Bill to be read a second time; and he should content himself by simply stating, that one great object of the Bill was, to increase the number of Sessions held in the year. Formerly, they used to be eight, but henceforward it was proposed there should be twelve; and by this regulation, punishment would almost immedi- ately follow the commission of crime, and the gaols would not be so densely crowded as at present.

Mr. Godson

had great pleasure in seconding the Motion of the hon. and learned Gentleman; and he should take the opportunity of observing, that he would move in Committee, that stealing from the person, embezzlement, and a second conviction, be added to the offences contemplated by the Bill.

Mr. Hughes Hughes

rose to inquire of the hon. and learned Gentleman (the Solicitor-General), why the Chief Judge and the two other Judges in Bankruptcy were among the Judges of the proposed Court appointed by the Bill? Considerable surprise had been expressed in the City of London on the appearance of those learned persons in the Bill, who seemed to have no natural connexion with a Criminal Court. He would take this opportunity of giving notice of his intention, in the Committee on the Bill, to move, that the parishes of Bromley and Beckenham, in the county of Kent, be comprised within the limits of the proposed Court; and the insertion of words in clause 17th, saving the rights and privileges of the Sheriffs of the City of London, and Sheriff of the county of Middlesex: also a clause to provide, that all and singular the enactments, persons, and authorities, made and given in and by the Act of George 4th, cap. 48, "for enabling Courts to abstain from pronouncing sentence of death on certain capital felonies," shall be deemed to extend, and shall extend, to the proposed Court.

The Solicitor General

said, that the reason why the three Judges in Bankruptcy were named in the Bill was, that in the absence of the Judges on circuit their assistance might be necessary to enable the Court to sit.

The Bill was read a second time.