§ On the Motion for the Second Reading of this Bill,
§ MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.)asked for some explanation of the Measure.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, Blackpoolsaid that he had explained the purpose of the Bill on a former occasion. At present, when a Bank Holiday was ordered, as on the occasion of the approaching Jubilee, the Secretary of State for the Home Department had no power to close the police courts. lie thought it would be admitted that they ought to be closed, and the power which the Bill would confer of doing so by order was desirable, in order that commercial inconvenience might be obviated in connection with Bills of Exchange falling due on the day.
§ MR. D. CRILLY (Mayo, N.)asked what was to become of prisoners locked up before a Bank Holiday. Were they not to get a holiday as well as the Magistrates? [Laughter.]
§ Read a Second Time, and committed for To-morrow, at Two of the clock.