§ MR. BASSsaid, he would beg to ask the Attorney General whether he contemplates proposing any change in the Law affecting Accommodation Bills of Exchange.
THE ATTORNEY GENERALsaid, that the object to which the question of the hon. Gentleman related was one of very considerable importance, but it was also one of very considerable difficulty. There could be no doubt but that the mode in which these Accommodation Bills were employed had become an evil of very great magnitude, but on the other hand they should not forget that any measure which might be passed upon the matter must necessarily have a general operation, and ought not to interfere with legitimate commercial operations. The Law Officers of the Crown had attentively considered the question, and they had resolved on introducing a provision with respect to it into a Bill for a reform of the Law of Bankruptcy and Insolvency, which his noble Friend the Lord Chancellor would shortly bring forward in the other House. By that provision it would be enacted that a Bank- 417 rupt should not obtain a release or discharge from a debt, if it could be shown that he had dealt in Accommodation Bills that did not bear the character which appeared on the face of these documents. He hoped that provision would have the effect of checking the evil in question; but the Government were not prepared to go further with their legislation upon the subject for the present.
§ MR. LOWEsaid, he wished to be informed when the Bill for the reform of the Law of Bankruptcy and Insolvency would be introduced into the other House.
THE ATTORNEY GENERALreplied, that the noble Lord the Member for the City of London had given notice of bringing the subject before the House of Commons, and simultaneously with his doing so the Lord Chancellor would introduce his measure into the House of Lords that the question would be discussed in both Houses at one and the same time.