§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. PLUNKET)moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Laws with respect to Juries in the county and the county of the city of Dublin.
§ MR. BUTTsaid, that the Bill proposed to accomplish, by a separate measure, what had been given up by the Juries Procedure Bill, and it was too important a measure to be brought in at the end of the Session.
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. PLUNKET)said, it was true general clauses somewhat similar to the provisions of this local measure had appeared in the Juries Procedure Bill, proposed with the intention of carrying out the Report of a Committee founded on the evidence taken in favour of the suggestion. Great opposition had been offered to the proposal, however, on the part of the hon. and learned Member for Limerick, and he thought also on that of the hon. Member for Drogheda; and it was then deemed the better course to withdraw the clauses affecting the country generally, and to introduce a new Bill dealing only with the county of Dublin and the county of the city of Dublin, as to which he believed there was unanimity of feeling. The Bill had the support of both hon. Members for the county and for the city of Dublin, who had ascertained the wishes of their constituents on the subject. It had been pressed very earnestly on the Government, and the Government desired to lose no time in passing it, if possible, during the present Session of Parliament. They had been strongly urged to do so, among other public bodies by the Chamber of Commerce, and by large numbers of individuals. If, however, the hon. and learned Member was resolved, on his own responsibility, to defeat the measure, and was prepared to oppose it at that stage, there was little hope of passing it so late in the year; under these circumstances, he should not oppose an Adjournment of the Debate if it was moved for.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned,"—(Sir Charles W. Dilke,)—put, and agreed to.
§ Debate adjourned till Monday.