§ MR. HILDYARDsaid, he begged to ask the hon. and learned Attorney General whether it was the intention of the Government to bring in immediately an Act to repeal or amend so much of the Act 7 and 8 Geo. IV., c. 29, s. 52, as enacts—
That no banker, merchant, broker, factor, attorney, or other agent as aforesaid shall be liable to be convicted by any evidence whatever as an offender against this Act in respect of any act done by him if he shall at any time previously to his being indicted for such offence have disclosed such act on oath in consequence of any compulsory process of any court of law or equity, in any action, suit, or proceeding which shall have been bonâ fide instituted by any party aggrieved, or if he shall have disclosed the same in any examination or deposition before any commissioners of bankrupt.
THE ATTORNEY GENERALsaid, this was certainly a matter deserving of the most serious consideration, but it was not the intention of the Government to legislate immediately upon it, for a reason that he would state. The point to which his hon. and learned Friend's inquiry had reference arose out of proceedings which had lately occupied a considerable share of public attention, and a very important and serious question might arise as to the effect of that Statute with reference to the facts which had been disclosed in the course of those proceedings. He thought it would be premature to offer any opinion upon that question, but it might turn out that the impression upon the public mind with respect to it was erroneous. Until the case to which he had alluded was decided, no legislation therefore would take place upon the subject.