§ MR. EDWIN JAMESobjected to the Amendments introduced by the House of Lords, according to which the Judge was to determine whether from the number of witnesses, or from any other cause, the evidence required to be commented on. This, he thought, would be one of the most dangerous powers with which a Judge could be invested; and if agreed to by the House, the provision would be inoperative, for in a case of murder no Judge would dare to refuse the right of summing up to the prisoner's counsel. He therefore Moved that the Lords' Amendments be disagreed with.
THE SOLICITOR GENERALsaid, he agreed with the hon. Member for Marylebone. So convinced was he of the impolicy, imprudence, and extreme mischief that must follow from the Amendments introduced by the Lords, that he would infinitely rather—at all events, for the present—that legislation on this subject should be delayed.
§ Amendments disagreed to.
§ Committee appointed, "to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to the said Amendments." Mr. DENMAN, Mr. SOLICITOR GENERAL, Mr. EDWIN JAMES, and Mr. MELLOR:—
§ To withdraw immediately. Three to be the Quorum.
§ House adjourned at a Quarter after Two o'clock.