§ MR. HADFIELDsaid, he wished to ask Mr. Attorney General, When it was intended to proceed with the Consolidation of the Criminal Law Bill, Offences against the Person Bill, and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Bill (Lords' Amendment)?
THE ATTORNEY GENERALsaid, the Offences against the Person Bill stood second in the Orders of the Day for Monday next, and it was proposed to report Progress in Committee of Supply between eleven and twelve o'clock, to give an opportunity of discussing the only clause in the Bill that remained to be considered. It was most important that no delay should take place, inasmuch as the further progress of the other Consolidation Bills in the other House was delayed, in consequence of this Bill not being sent forward. It was the intention of the Government to bring on the discussion of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Bill on Thursday next.
§ LORD HOTHAMsaid, he would beg to ask the noble Lord at the head of the Government, Whether he will, as a matter of general convenience to all parties concerned—and to none, perhaps, more than to Her Majesty's Government themselves— 699 give notice beforehand how the Government proposed to deal with the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Bill? The House had just been informed that it was not intended to proceed with it on Monday, but that it was to come on Thursday next. Perhaps the noble Lord, without giving reasons for the course which the Government intend to pursue, will say whether he cannot on Monday give notice of the intentions of the Government with respect to that measure.
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTON:The suggestion of the noble Lord is not unreasonable, and I hope by Monday I shall be able to state to the House the manner in which we shall propose to deal with the main Amendment.