HC Deb 09 June 1896 vol 41 c779

Considered in Committee.

Question again proposed, "That the Clause (Wife or husband may give evidence,)—(Mr. H. D. Greene,)—be added to the Bill."

DR. TANNER,

while not objecting to the principle of the Bill, objected to be Measure being taken at such a late hour of the night.

MR. DILLON

begged his hon. Friend not to persist in his opposition.

MR. J. CALDWELL (Lanarkshire, Mid)

said he had no objection to the Bill, but he disapproved of the insertion of the proposed clause. A Bill had already passed the House of Lords which would alter the law generally as regarded the taking of evidence. It was well, he thought, that they should wait for that Bill before dealing with the question.

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. JESSE COLLINGS,) Birmingham, 780 Bordesley

hoped his hon. Friend would not press the clause.

MR. H. D. GREENE

had no objection to the clause being negatived or withdrawn, provided he received an assurance that the Bill to which the hon. Member for Lanarkshire had referred would be pressed during the present Session.

MR. JESSE COLLINGS

undertook to press the Bill forward as much as the Government could.

DR. CLARK (Caithness) moved to report Progress.

Progress reported; Committee to sit again upon Thursday.