§ On the Order of the Day for the consideration of the Amendments in this Bill,
§ MR. I. BUTTsaid, that there was much difficulty in the form of the Bill, inasmuch as the measure, although a renewal of the Crime and Outrage Bill which was enacted in 1847, and which was continued by temporary measures up to the present time, had now, for the first time, omitted many of the provisions of the original measure. It was, therefore, he considered, necessary to recommit the Bill, with a view to the insertion of certain clauses, which he thought necessary to render the Bill intelligible in its present shape. If the right hon. Gentleman (the Home Secretary), would consent to this, he would pledge all the hon. Members for Ireland on his side of the House that no objection should be taken to any portion of the Bill in Committee. He should therefore move, that Mr. Speaker leave the chair.
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, he did not at all dispute that the form in which the hon. and learned Gentleman proposed the Bill should be put would be the most convenient form; but at that late period of the Session, and considering it would only be continued for two years, he did not think it would be advisable to adopt the course suggested. It was true the hon. and learned Gentleman had pledged himself that no opposition would be offered to the Bill if it were re-committed; but it was impossible the hon. and learned Gentleman could be in a condition to give that guarantee. Besides, it would no longer be 1685 a Continuance Bill, but an entirely new Bill.
After a few words from Colonel DUNNE, MR. BLAND, and Mr. HORSMAN, the Motion for Mr. Speaker leaving the chair was withdrawn, and the Amendments to the Bill agreed to; and the Bill ordered to be read a third time To-morrow.