HC Deb 28 July 1862 vol 168 cc971-3
Mr. CRAUFURD

objected to the extension of the Bill to Scotland. No case had been shown for such a provision. There were few or no preserves of pheasants and partridges in Scotland. He submitted, that the experiment should be tried in England first, and moved, that the words "Great Britain" be expunged, and the word "England" inserted.

Amendment proposed, in page 2, line 5, to leave out the words "Great Britain," in order to insert the word "England,"—instead thereof.

Question put, "That the words 'Great Britain' stand part of the Bill."

The House divided:—Ayes 95; Noes 55: Majority 40.

Mr. BRADY

said, that Ireland never had been a poaching country. Moreover, the police in Ireland had other duties to perform than to protect game. He moved that the words "and Ireland" be omitted from the Bill.

Amendment proposed, in page 2, line 5, to leave out the words "and Ireland."

SIR BALDWIN LEIGHTON

said, he feared he could not consent to the Amendment. The Bill could do no possible harm to Ireland.

Question put, "That the words 'and Ireland' stand part of the Bill."

The House divided: Ayes 88; Noes 59: Majority 29.

Amendment proposed, in page 2, line 8, after the word "Game," to insert the words "or of being accessory thereto."

Question proposed, "That those words be there inserted."

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Amendment proposed, in page 2, line 8, after the word "Game," to insert the words "or any person acting in concert with such person."

Question proposed, "That those words be there inserted."

MR. CRAUFURD

said, he would move that the debate be adjourned.

MR. NEWDEGATE

opposed the Motion. He thought the hon. Gentleman was only making political capital out of the opposition to that Bill; but as he had not the wit of the hon. Member behind him (Mr. Bernal Osborne), he did not know how to bring his small wares to the best market.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the Debate be now adjourned."

The House divided:—Ayes 47; Noes 96: Majority 49.

Original Question again proposed.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

SIR BALDWIN LEIGHTON moved the insertion, after the word "game," of the words "or any person aiding or abetting such person," or having in his possession any game unlawfully obtained, &c.

Amendment proposed, in page 2, line 8, after the word "Game," to insert the words "or any person aiding or abetting such person."

MR. BUTT

said, the clause as it stood was neither good English nor good sense. According to its language, the policeman would be bound to take himself into custody, and go through the ceremony of a search upon his own person.

MR. E. P. BOUVERIE

said, he would put it to the House whether they could go on with a Bill in such a state, or whether it was not discreditable to the House and to the country to persist in discussing a measure which was most unpopular with the public, and would be the laughingstock of the courts. He hoped the hon. Baronet would withdraw the Bill, and obtain the assistance of some legal Gentleman who would put the clauses into proper shape.

COLONEL NORTH

said, the right hon. Gentleman did not seem to know that the clause had been drawn up by the Lord Chancellor himself, the phraseology of which had been so much ridiculed.

SIR GEORGE GREY

believed, that the Bill was incapable of amendment, and it would be open to any hon. Member to move its rejection on the third reading. The Amendment now under consideration would render the measure more unintelligible than before.

SIR BALDWIN LEIGHTON

defended the clause, and had no doubt that the Bill would be easily worked.

Question put, "That those words be there inserted."

The House divided:—Ayes 85; Noes 58: Majority 27.

SIR FRANCIS GOLDSMID

said, he would move the adjournment of the debate. He wished, also, to point out that the words just inserted would only apply to the "accessory," while the principal would escape altogether. The Bill was a disgrace to the Legislature; and as for checking poaching, its supporters might dismiss that from their minds at once.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, it was too bad that they should be kept through the night upon such a measure. He should therefore vote for the adjournment, not for obstruction, but because of the very serious objections there were to the provisions of the Bill, especially those enabling policemen to search women, and to take men into custody merely on suspicion.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the further Consideration of the Bill, as amended, be now adjourned."

The House divided:—Ayes 51; Noes 81: Majority 30.

MR. BONHAM-CARTER

proposed, that the penalty should be reduced from £5 to 40s.

Amendment proposed, in page 2, line 25, to leave out the words "five pounds," in order to insert the words "forty shillings,"—instead thereof.

Question put, "That 'five pounds' stand part of the Bill."

The House divided:—Ayes 76; Noes 48: Majority 28.

Other Amendments made, and Title amended.

Bill to be read 3° on Wednesday, and to be printed. [Bill 241.]

House adjourned at half after Three o'clock.