HC Deb 23 February 1888 vol 322 cc1244-5
DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether, when replying to a recent deputation on the Scotch Bankruptcy Laws, he is correctly reported to have stated— With regard to the [draft] Bill relating to imprisonment for debt he might say he hoped to do something during the present Session; whether the draft Bill re-enacted imprisonment for civil debt in Scotland; whether he is aware that imprisonment for civil debt was abolished in Scotland after careful inquiry at the hands of a Select Committee of this House; and, whether, if he contemplates the re-enactment of imprisonment for debt in any form in Scotland, he will undertake to bring forward his proposal in the form of a Bill avowedly dealing with the subject, and not in the form of an Amendment proposed at a later stage of some general measure?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)

The quotation of the hon. Member is correct, subject to this—that I distinctly declined to give any pledge. The Bill which was laid before me proposed to authorize the Court to imprison debtors if they, not being able to show inability to pay debt, wilfully disobeyed an order of the Court ordaining them to do so. I am aware that imprisonment for debt was abolished, and that very great evil has resulted from its being absolutely abolished without any safeguard against contumacious refusal to pay debts by persons having means. I can give no undertaking as to what course will be followed when this matter is dealt with.

DR. CAMERON

asked, whether the right hon. and learned Gentleman would bring forward the matter in a Bill, and not slip it in a later stage; because every Bill that he brought forward—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order !