§ Order for Committee read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, he should move that the Bill be committed on Monday next. He had Amendments to propose.
Amendment proposed, to leave out from the word "That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words "this House will, upon this day week, resolve itself into the said Committee," instead thereof.
§ SIR FREDERIC THESIGERsaid, he must complain of the hon. and learned Member for not having given him notice till within half an hour.
§ Question, "That the words proposed, to be left out stand part of the Question," put, and agreed to.
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.
§ House in Committee.
§ MR. AYRTON moved that the Chairman do report progress.
§ SIR FREDERIC THESIGERsaid, he must protest against the line of conduct pursued by the hon. and learned Member. The Bill had been most carefully drawn; and, as its principle had been approved of, there was no reason why it should not be forwarded as speedily as possible.
§ Motion made, and Question put, "That the Chairman do report progress, and ask leave to sit again."
§ The Committee divided:—Ayes 4; Noes 33: Majority 29.
§ Clause 1.
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, he objected to the total abolition of the grand jury in the metropolis, without sufficient provision that the subject should of right be able to prefer 1942 a criminal charge without going to a stipendiary magistrate, or without going to the Attorney General. He desired to introduce into the Bill a clause to the effect that a man should have the power of carrying on a prosecution without being defendant on the decision of a single magistrate. He should move the omission of the clause.
§ MR. COBBETTopposed the clause.
§ Notice being taken that Forty Members were not present, the Committee was told; and Forty Members not being present, Mr. SPEAKER resumed the Chair; and having counted the House, and Forty Members not being present,
§ The House was adjourned at half after Two o'clock.