HC Deb 21 March 1898 vol 55 c531

(In the Committee.)

Mr. J. W. LOWTHER (Cumberland, Penrith)

, CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS, in the Chair.

Order for Committee read.

MR. J. DALY (Monaghan, S.)

I object.

*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. W. RIDLEY,) Lancashire, N., Blackpool

I hope the hon. Gentleman will not persist in his objection. This is a very simple Bill, for the purpose of giving magistrates power to admit to bail without requiring sureties in cases where in their opinion it will not tend to defeat the ends of justice. I hope the hon. Member will not object to our taking the Bill now.

MR. TIMOTHY HEALY

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why the Bill should not apply to Ireland?

*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT

It cannot, because it is merely a Bill to amend an English Act.

MR. TIMOTHY HEALY

I do not see that that is any good reason. The English people, we know, are always in favour of liberty—for their own people. They take good care to confine their Measure to England, and then we are told that it would be beyond the scope of the Bill to apply it to Ireland. I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to reconsider this matter. If he will consult with the Attorney General for Ireland I feel sure he will find that there will be no objection to extending the operation of the Bill to Ireland.

Committee report progress; to sit again on Thursday.