§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, Blackpoolin asking leave to introduce a Bill to amend the law relating to prisons, said this was an important measure embodying certain amendments which had been under discussion both in the House and in the country, and which, he need hardly remind the House, were the result of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee presided over by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Leeds. He could not expect to make substantial progress with the measure this Session, but he was very anxious that the House and the country should be in possession of his proposal. [" Hear, hear!"] He might say that he should couple with the Bill a memorandum explaining its objects.
§ Bill ordered to be brought in by Sir Matthew White Ridley and Mr. Jesse Collings; presented accordingly, and 940 Read the First time; to be Read a Second time upon Thursday next, and to be printed. [Bill 262.]