HC Deb 24 April 1856 vol 141 c1469

Order for Second Reading read.

MR. J. D. FITZGERALD,

in moving the second reading of this Bill, stated that he proposed subsequently to refer it to a Select Committee.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

MR. M'MAHON

said, he should move that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. He thought the Bill was better rejected than referred to a Select Committee, as that would enable the Attorney General for Ireland to bring in a measure to equalise the jury laws of England and Ireland.

Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."

Question proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."

COLONEL DUNNE

said, he must protest against Irish Bills being brought forward at that hour of the night. There were a great many serious objections to the measure, which was generally reprehended in Ireland. He should move, therefore, that the debate be adjourned.

LORD NAAS

said, he hoped the Government would agree to the adjournment of the debate, in order to give the right hon. and learned Member for the University of Dublin (Mr. Napier) an opportunity of expressing his views on the subject.

MR. HORSMAN

said, there was not one of the Irish Bills which had not been postponed from the beginning of the Session. He would not, however, press on the Bill under the circumstances.

MR. SEYMOUR FITZGERALD

said, at such an hour of the night, it was impossible to do justice to the Bill, and he agreed with his hon. and gallant Friend (Colonel Dunne) that the way in which Irish business was treated night after night was most unsatisfactory.

MR. GEORGE

said, if the measure had been persevered in, he should have objected to its going into Committee without a full statement of its principle by the Attorney General for Ireland, as there were many most objectionable features in it.

Debate adjourned till Thursday next.