HC Deb 04 June 1896 vol 41 cc498-9

Page 2, after Clause 4, insert the following clause:— Any person charged with any offence in this Act mentioned, and the wife or husband of such person shall be competent, but not compellable to give evidence."—(Mr. H. D. Greene.)

Clause read the First and Second time.

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE moved to report Progress.

MR. LOUGH

suggested that some explanation of the new clause should be given.

* MR. GREENE

said that the clause simply enabled the person accused and his or her wife or husband to give evidence. A similar clause, he believed, was introduced five times last Session, and no objection had been taken to it.

MR. CALDWELL

said that he specially objected to the new clause, though he had no objection to the Bill. It was introducing a change in the law of evidence for these cases.

Mr. LOUGH

said that the clause had better be withdrawn.

MR. H. LEWIS

said that if the hon. Member refused to withdraw the clause, he had no one but himself to blame for the delayed progress of the Bill.

Objection being taken to further proceeding, the Chairman left the Chair to make his report to the House.

Committee to report Progress; to sit again upon Monday next.