§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, this Bill had been introduced on the recommendation of a Royal Commission, of which he was Chairman, to facilitate the inquiries carried on by that Commission in no spirit of hostility to the Friendly Societies. Misunderstandings, however, had arisen on the point, and as time did not permit of the necessary ex- 1657 planations being given with a view of allaying the feelings which had been excited, such of his colleagues as he had been able to consult agreed with him that the better course would be to discharge the Order for proceeding with the Bill. As, however, the Commissioners desired to hold sittings simultaneously in different parts of the country, he wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman opposite whether facilities might not be given them for doing so, with a quorum of two instead of three?
MR. BRUCEsaid, he thought his right hon. Friend had exercised a very wise discretion, under the circumstances, in recommending the withdrawal of the Bill. He did not think there would be any difficulty in altering the terms of the Commission so as to afford the desired facilities.