§ "So much of section 10 of the Vagrancy Act, 1824, as authorises the punishment of whipping is hereby repealed."—(Mr. Pickersgill.)
§ MR. PICKERSGILLIn moving this new clause I should like to remind the right honourable Gentleman the Secretary of State for the Home Department—
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTMay I interrupt the honourable Member? I remember when this subject was under discussion some years ago that one of my predecessors in the office of Home Secretary made a promise that he would bring in a Bill for the purpose of abolishing this particular part of the section of the Vagrancy Act, 1824. Under those circumstances I have no objection to accepting the clause. I hope that the House will not object to the Bill now being read a third time, although, of course, I am quite aware that the Bill has been amended.
§ MR. KEARLEYI should certainly strongly object to the Third Reading of the Bill being taken now, unless some understanding is arrived at as to the adjournment. I would draw the particular 433 attention of the House to the fact that we have gone through eight Bills during the last hour.