§ MR. M. MILNESwished to put a question to the Solicitor General for Ireland, of which he had given notice. At the early part of the Session he had called the atten- 305 tion of the hon. and learned Gentleman to the case of a number of persons who were imprisoned for debt in the gaols in Ireland for very small sums; and the hon. and learned Gentleman had promised that the attention of the Government should be directed to the matter. They were now near the end of the Session, and nothing had yet been done. From a paper on the Table, it appeared that there were at present 150 persons imprisoned in Ireland for debts between 2l. and 5l., and 140 for debts between 5l. and 10l. He hoped, even at that late period of the Session, some measure for their relief would be brought forward.
§ MR. MONAHANsaid, that as far as he was concerned, he had prepared a Bill on the subject; but before it was submitted to the House, it was necessary that it should receive the approval of the Lord Chancellor. He did not know what conclusion the Lord Chancellor might come to; but the subject was now under his Lordships' consideration; and he hoped that he should be enabled to bring forward a measure before the end of the Session.