§ Sir J. Grahammoved that the Lunacy Bill brought down from the House of Lords, be read a first time.
§ Mr. C. BullerI beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether this is one of the bills which the Lord Chancellor has brought in for the reform of the law in the House of Lords; and whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed in this House with those bills introduced at a very early period of this Session into the House of Lords, which were laid on their Table without having anything done in them until now, that House having little or nothing else to 493 do. I do not make any objection to this bill, for I am not acquainted with its provisions, but I see amongst the Lord Chancellor's bills a County Courts Bill, and a bill with respect to bankruptcy. Both of them are of great importance, and effect great changes in the law. One of them, certainly, creates a change of great benefit. I only regret it has been so long postponed. But after giving up so many measures, and at this period of the 8ession, when suppose, three-fourths of the Members have left town, and when almost almost all the Members of the legal profession, particularly of the common law branch of it, are engaged on circuit, I wish to know whether the Government really intend to pass these bills.
§ Sir J. GrahamThe hon. and learned Gentleman is quite right in supposing that this measure is more or less connected with the important bills to which he has referred. The hon. and learned Gentle- man must be aware that the subject of the County Courts Bill has been discussed at various periods, both in this and in the other House of Parliament. A committee to inquire into it sat last Session, and I think in a former Session; and a measure was subsequently introduced, discussed at great length, and matured with great care. The measure in its present shape is the result of the inquiry of the committee last year. It is the intention of the Government to submit these measures, as now brought forward, to this House. I have great confidence they will meet with general acceptance; but if any serious opposition should arise (which I do not anticipate), I shall not press them. At present I believe the general opinion of the House to be that they are decided and clear improvements of the law, and that being my conviction, I think it very desirable they should be passed.
§ Bill read a first time.