§ MR. J. STUARTasked if it was the intention of Government to proceed without delay with the Bankruptcy Bill, which 1371 had come down from the other House of Parliament. It was a Bill of the greatest consequence to the commercial community, and it was approved by the Lord Chancellor. He asked the question, because, though the Bill came down from the House of Lords on Friday night, contrary to usage, it was not read a first time, and did not appear on the Orders of the Day.
§ LORD J. RUSSELLsaid, that though the Attorney General had not moved the first reading of the Bill, he had fixed it for consideration before the other orders that day se'nnight. At the same time he must say, though he concurred in the general objects of the Bill, that there was yet a great deal too much matter of a complicated kind in the Bill and in its arrangements and details to enable him (Lord J. Russell) to say that the Government would take it up with all possible expedition. He hoped, however, the House might he enabled to pass the Bill in its general principles and arrangements in the course of the present Session. He understood certain representations had been sent up to the House of Lords as to the appointments and salaries under the Bill, to which their Lordships were bound to give attention. He should much regret to see the House obliged to appoint a Committee to inquire into claims and salaries after the Bill had been passed; and it appeared much better that the House should appoint a Committee previous to the passing of the Bill, than after it had become an Act of Parliament.
§ Subject at an end.