§ Mr. Fox Maulemoved the second reading of the Bribery at Elections Bill.
§ Sir R. Peelwished to know whether it was intended to proceed with this bill?
§ Mr. Fox Maulereplied that his noble Friend would be in his place to-morrow, and would state the bills he intended to press.
§ Sir R. Peeldid not object to the second 1302 reading of the bill; if the noble Lord intended to press it he would give his best consideration to its details, but he thought that it was desirable that the House should have full time to consider them. To say the least of it, it was a bill which required a good deal of consideration.
§ Mr. Fox Mauletrusted that the House would at least agree to the principle of the measure.
§ Colonel Sibthorpstated, that if the noble Lord attempted to proceed with this bill, he would oppose every clause of it. A more clap-trap and objectionable bill had never been brought into Parliament. He had opposed a similar bill some Sessions ago, and the only object of the present measure on their part was to entrap Members in a way never attempted before by a Government. The Government was capable of any dirty trick which an Administration could resort to.
§ Sir E. Sugdensaid, he should not oppose the second reading, but he objected to the mode in which the clauses were drawn up relating to treating.
§ Bill read a second time.