§ MR. DENMANsaid, he rose to ask leave to bring in a Bill for the improvement of the proceedings in trials for felony and misdemeanour. The Bill consisted only of one clause, and its object was, to assimilate the practice of criminal cases with that of civil cases with regard to the speeches of counsel. It might be objected by some persons that the Bill which he wished to introduce would tend to make trials longer; but they had had six years' experience of the alteration of the practice in civil cases, and the result had not been 2086 to lengthen the trials. He proposed this Bill because he had not heard that any similar amendment of the law was contemplated at present; but as the change which he proposed would be of importance on any trial that might arise, he trusted that the House would allow the Bill to be introduced.
§ MR. W. EWARTseconded the Motion.
THE ATTORNEY GENERALsaid, he thanked his hon. and learned Friend (Mr. Denman) for the attention which he had paid to a subject of so much importance as that with which the Bill proposed to deal. He would observe that the question was one of considerable difficulty, and therefore, without pledging himself to any decided opinion with regard to it, he woud merely express a hope the House would accede to the Motion.
§ Leave given.
§ "Bill for the amendment of the proceedings on Trials for Felony and Misdemeanour, ordered to be brought in by Mr. DENMAN, Mr. WILLIAM EWART, and Mr. COBBETT."