§ Lord J. Russell moved, that the Lords' amendments on the Prisoners' Counsel Bill be taken into consideration.
§ Mr. Ewartcontended, that the House ought to insist on retaining the clause which gives the last word to the party accused—indeed, that clause involved the whole principle of the Bill. In 1826, Lord Lyndhurst, in his place in that House, had said that he would oppose any Bill on this subject which did not contain this clause. In 1836 this clause was that to which of all others the noble Lord most objected. He moved that the Commons disagree to the amendments of the Lords on this clause.
§ Lord J. Russellagreed, with some reluctance, to this motion. He did so, because a Select Committee of that House had pronounced a very decided opinion upon it. He thought it right, however, to inform the House, that since the last discussion on the subject he had received a very long letter from Lord Chief Justice 1211 Denman, in which his Lordship said that he considered this Bill so important, that he would take it as it came amended from the Lords, and would leave the disputed questions to be settled hereafter.
§ The Lords' amendment disagreed to.
§ The other amendments of the Lords were agreed to, and an order was made that their dissent from their Lordships on the clause carried by Mr. Ewart should be communicated to them presently. Committee appointed to draw up reasons to be delivered at a conference.