§ MR. HARDYsaid, he wished to know what course the Government intended to take with regard to the eight Consolidation Bills of the Statute Law Commissioners? He did not wish to discuss those Bills, but he thought there was a fatal defect in them, that they did not repeal existing enactments, so that all Acts not absolutely inconsistent with those Bills would still be in force, and persons wishing to ascertain the law would have to consult the previous Acts before they could rely on the Consolidation Statutes.
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, that the Government had come to the conclusion that it was impossible that these Bills 1223 could pass through the House without considerable discussion, and the course which they thought would be found the best would be to refer them to a Select Committee. It was too late to take that course in the present Session. The Orders for Second Reading would, therefore, be discharged, and early next Session the Bills would be introduced and referred to a Select Committee.