HC Deb 24 August 1889 vol 340 cc450-2

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 4.

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL (Sir EDWARD CLARKE,) Plymouth

I beg to move the omission of this clause. A number of Amendments are down on the Paper with regard to it. It is the only clause which has given rise to any controversy, and I have agreed to strike it out, and to accept Amendments which will carry out to the full the desires expressed by hon. Members from Wales.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Clause 4 stand part of the Bill."

MR. BRYN ROBERTS

Are the Government willing to accept my Amendment, that the expression "Wales" shall include the County of Monmouth?

SIR E. CLARKE

I cannot accept that. It would only be necessary in the event of this clause standing part of the Bill.

Question put, and negatived.

Several Amendments agreed to.

Clause 13.

MR. AMBROSE (Middlesex, Harrow)

I beg to propose to leave out the words from "whether" to "of." At present the clause makes the Act retrospective as to other Acts; that would be a very bad form of legislation, and extremely dangerous.

SIR E. CLARKE

I am sorry my hon. and learned Friend did not mention this to me before moving it. The matter has been very carefully considered indeed, and if he will look at the sub-section he will find that his objection does not really apply.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Other Amendments made.

Clause 27.

Amendment proposed, page 11, line 15, after "jury," insert— In Ireland the expression 'returned for trial' shall include, for the purposes of the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, section 1, sub-section (1), a hearing before a Court of Summary Jurisdiction."—(Mr. Sexton, on behalf of Mr. T. M. Healy.)

SIR E. CLARKE

I cannot accept this Amendment. It refers to a particular Act of 1887, and deals with a sub-section only, and cannot be accepted as the interpretation of a phrase generally used. It is the alteration of the law in relation to a particular section in a particular Act. It cannot properly find a place in an Interpretation Act intended for the pur- pose of defining the meanings of certain expressions.

MR. SEXTON

It would be a good interpretation of the law, but I withdraw the Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause agreed to.

Clause 33.

Amendment proposed, line 20, after "prosecuted," insert "before Judge and Jury."—(Mr. Sexton, for Mr. T. M. Healy.)

SIR EDWARD CLARKE

I think, if the hon. and learned Member in whose name the Amendment stands were present, I should convince him that the effect of this would really not be that which he supposes, and that it should not find a place in this Act.

Amendment put, and negatived.

Clause agreed to.

Remaining clauses agreed to.

New Clause (Meaning of Irish Valuation Acts,)—(Mr. Sexton, for Mr. T. M. Healy,)—brought up, and read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

New Clause (Meaning of "be it enacted,")—(Mr. Sexton, for Mr. T. M. Healy,)—brought up, and read the first time.

SIR EDWARD CLARKE

I hope the hon. Member will not think it necessary to press this. These words occupy a very small space; they are a time-honoured form, and really I do not see why we should not keep them.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Schedule agreed to.

Bill reported; as amended, to be considered upon Monday next.