§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Order for the Second Reading be discharged."—(Mr. Attorney General.)
§ SIR R. ASSHETON CROSSsaid, of course it was quite necessary that at this period of the Session the Bill should be withdrawn; but he would like, if possible, to extract a pledge from the Government that the Bill would not be allowed to drop, but would be brought forward as early as possible next Session. The Bill was intended to remove what was a great scandal on our electoral system, and, so far, would receive a good deal of support; but there were parts of the Bill—he would not enter into them then—which he hoped the Attorney General would carefully consider during the Recess, for they would really constitute traps for the honest candidate.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)said, the question should have been put to the Prime Minister; but, so far as he was aware, it was the intention of the Government to introduce the Bill next Session at an early date, with the hope of passing it.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Order discharged; Bill withdrawn.