§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. KEOGHmoved the second reading of this Bill, and said he hoped that no objection would be made by hon. Gentlemen opposite.
COLONEL DUNNEsaid, he would not object to the second reading of the Bill if the last clause were struck out. The Bill professed to remove doubts as to the Commissions of officers of militia in Ireland who had omitted to deliver descriptions of their qualifications, and to indemnify them against the consequences. He knew prosecutions were going on now, and there could be no objection to put an end to them, but there was a clause giving power 1949 to the Lord Lieutenant to remove any colonel of militia at his pleasure.
§ MR. NAPIERsaid, this was a perfectly Irish Bill. One part of the 6th clause gave power to Her Majesty to signify her pleasure to the colonel or other commanding officer of any such regiment of militia to displace all or any officers or officer of militia, &c. It then went on to remove doubts which had been entertained whether such provision included the removal of the colonel, by declaring that it should be lawful for Her Majesty to signify to the colonel her pleasure that he should be displaced from his command. The first clause, too, was so framed that it enabled any person, simply by lodging a certificate of qualification, to become qualified whether he had any property or not.
§ MR. KEOGHsaid, he must maintain that the intention of the clauses was clear enough, although their wording might be rather obscure. Any alteration, however, that was thought necessary might be considered in Committee.
§ Bill read 2o.
§ The House adjourned at One o'clock.