Commons Sitting of 13 April 1859

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS.—2° Sale of Grain, &c.
POSTAL SERVICE FOR NORTH AMERICA.

  QUESTION.
  MR. MONSELLsaid, he would beg to ask the hon. Gentleman the Secretary to the Treasury, why certain Returns which he (Mr. Monsell) had moved for on the

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  31st March last, relating to the postal service for North America had not yet been made? He had studiously avoided anything which could place a limit on the time for the preparation of the Return, and he wondered it had not yet been made.
  SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, the Government had communicated with the Admiralty and the Post Office Departments on the subject, and they had complied with the request from the Treasury; but there were some Returns required from the Irish Government which had not yet been received; but if they did not speedily arrive, he would have the Returns already obtained laid upon the table, so that those which were wanting might form a supplement to them.

CONVICT PRISONS ABROAD BILL.

  COMMITTEE.
  Order for Committee read.
  House in Committee.
  MR. SOTHERON ESTCOURTsaid, that this was in point of fact a Consolidation Bill, to unite a number of provisions scattered through a variety of Acts. It referred only to the establishments at Gibraltar and Bermuda; it provided for the appointment of a visiting justice or director of prisons at each place. The greater portion of the Bill affected only the penalties imposed for a number of offences within its scope.
  SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, it was very desirable that the Acts on this subject should be consolidated. As he understood, no new offices were created, but a new name was given, and they were assimilated as to appointment to the corresponding offices in this country.
  Bill passed through Committee.
  House resumed. Bill reported without Amendment.

VEXATIOUS INDICTMENTS BILL.

  SECOND READING.
  Order for Second Reading read.
  MR. M'MAHONmoved that the Order be discharged. It was a most mischievous Bill, and he could not tell how it could have escaped from the House of Lords. It had not even been printed as yet.
  MR. SOTHERON ESTCOURTadmitted the matter was too serious to be disposed of at this period of the Session.
  Order discharged; Bill withdrawn.
  House adjourned at One o'clock.