Lords Sitting of 7 April 1848

MINUTES.
Took the Oaths.—The Earl of Leven and Melville.
PUBLIC BILLS.—1a Assignment of Ecclesiastical Districts.—Leases of Mines (Ireland).
2a Bail for Manslaughter.—Unnecessary Actions Prevention.
Reported.—Property Tax.
3 a and passed;—Stamp Duties Assimilation.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.—From the County of Fife, for Inquiring into the Condition of the Road Trusts in Scotland.—From the Members of the Scotch Church, Paisley, for the Better Observance of the Sabbath.—From Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Durham, for the Enactment of Sanitary Measures.—From Lisknaskee, and several other Places, against the National System of Education.—From Barnstaple, and other Places, for the Imposition of the Severest Penalties on all Roman Catholic Priests who shall Denounce Persons from the Altar—From Members of several Lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity, for the Extension of the Provisions of the Benefit Societies Act to that Order.—From Westmeath, for Alteration in the Law relating to Poor Rates.—From the Physicians and Surgeons of the Dungarvon Union, for Relief of certain Grievances.—From Hadleigh, for Suppression of Seduction and Prostitution.

BAIL FOR MANSLAUGHTER BILL.
LORD DENMAN moved the Second Reading of the Bail for Manslaughter Bill. He concurred in the suggestion of a noble Earl opposite, that the powers con-
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ferred by the Bill should be given, not to coroners, but to justices of the peace. An amendment of the law such as that now proposed was required, for at present, while rich men might suffer but slightly when accused, poor men might be committed and kept in prison for a period which was in itself a punishment.
After a few remarks from the Earl of ELLENBOROUGH,
Bill read 2a.
House adjourned.