§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Hibbert.)
§ MR. WARTONWhat is this Bill about?
§ MR. HIBBERTsaid, it was merely a Bill to settle doubts which had arisen since the transference of prisons to the Secretary of State. Doubts had arisen as to whether the Secretary of State had the same powers in regard to prisons as 1704 the Local Authorities had under the Prisons Act of 1865. The Bill was intended to settle those doubts, and also to give power to the Secretary of State to utilize the parts of the Milbank Prison that were formerly used for convict prisoners for local prison purposes.
§ MR. HEALYsaid, he thought it was a very objectionable thing that the Bill, which was read a first time last night, should be put down for second reading to-night. Hon. Members had had no opportunity of examining the Bill. He should like to propose some Amendments as to the proposals with regard to visits. Under the circumstances, the hon. Gentleman in charge of the Bill (Mr. Hibbert) would do well to consent to the adjournment of the debate. In order that time might be given to examine the Bill, he (Mr. Healy) begged to move that the debate be now adjourned.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned."—(Mr. Healy.)
§ MR. HIBBERTassured the hon. Gentleman that he had no desire to take any undue advantage of the House. He thought that if the Bill was issued yesterday morning, sufficient time would be afforded hon. Members of seeing what the object of it was.
§ MR. HEALYsaid, he would not block the second reading if the hon. Gentleman would put it down for Monday.
§ MR. HIBBERTsaid, he would be quite content to put the Committee stage off for several days, if that would meet the wishes of the hon. Gentleman. He would, for instance, defer the Committee until Thursday next.
§ Motion, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Original Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Thursday next.