COMMITTEE.

HC Deb 03 May 1858 vol 149 cc2204-6

Order for Committee read.

House in Committee.

MR. WARREN

said, he must protest against proceeding with such an important Bill as this at so advanced an hour of the morning. He knew that the hon. and learned Member for Durham (Mr. Atherton) who was not then in his place, and some other hon. Members, had important Amendments to move.

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL

said, that he saw the hon. Member for Durham a few minutes ago, and he understood that his Amendment referred to courts of law. He had suggested, therefore, that the hon. Member should embody his Amendment in a distinct measure for amending the Acts relating to the practice of the courts of law; and that course had been agreed on. With regard to the suggestion of the hon. Member for Armagh, he agreed with him in the desirability of applying the principle to Ireland, but he was of opinion that it would be better to have a separate Bill for Ireland.

MR. WHITESIDE

said, it was certainly his wish to have the Bill extended to Ireland; in order to avoid the necessity of another measure on the same subject; but he wished it to be distinctly understood that he was overruled in that desire. He would, therefore, introduce a separate Bill on the subject for Ireland. The fault, however, was not his.

MR. COLLIER

said, he understood from the Solicitor General that it was his intention to introduce some Amendment in the mode of taking evidence in open Court, instead of before the Examiner. If no clause of that sort was proposed, he would himself introduce it.

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL

said, he would be glad to consider any clause approved by the hon. and learned Gentleman. He would, however, refer him to a clause at present in the Bill, giving the Court power to take evidence vivâ voce, which he thought would meet the objection of his hon. and learned Friend.

Clauses 1 to 7 agreed to.

On Clause 8 being proposed,

MR. WARREN

moved that the Chair- man report progress, and ask leave to sit again.

House resumed.

Committee report progress; to sit again on Friday.

House adjourned at One o'clock