Lord Broughamsaid, that a Bill of considerable importance had just been brought from the other House, where it had been passed by considerable majorities, though in a shape rather different from that in which it was first introduced. It was to allow counsel and attornies to prisoners charged with felony; the counsel to address the jury, for at present they could only be heard by the Court to discuss a point of law. He should not now enter into the subject more than to say that he approved of it generally, but that there were some of the details to which he could not give his concurrence. He should propose that this Bill be now read a first time, and in the further progress of it he should wish to be guided by their Lordships' opinion.
§ Lord Lyndhurstsuggested that the Bill should go to the Committee up stairs.
Lord Broughamsaw no disadvantage in the plan proposed. There was no pressure as to the passing of the Bill at this moment, for the Circuits were just beginning, and the Bill could not be passed in time to come into operation at the present Assizes. He should, therefore, propose that it be read a first time now and then printed, and read a second time to-morrow pro forma, with the understanding that it was then to be sent to the Committee up stairs, and not to be debated till the Report was brought up.
§ The Bill read a first time.