§ The EARL of HARROWBYmoved the Second Reading of the Bill. He did not believe that there was any objection to the measure. The object of it was to give to the Judges of the County Courts, and also the Commissioners of the Court of Bankruptcy, the same power to issue warrants for the arrest of absconding debtors as was now enjoyed by the Judges of the Superior Courts in Westminster Hall, with the same provisions and securities which now existed to prevent any injury from being inflicted on the personal freedom of the subject.
LORD BROUGHAMbelieved that some such measure as this was greatly wanted, hut pointed out some objections to this Bill, which he, nevertheless, thought might be cured in Committee. He thought that some means should be adopted to ascertain whether the party accused of absconding was really in debt or not. Under this Bill a man might be arrested and held to bail for a debt of 10,000l., when he did not owe a shilling either in law or in equity. It was rather hard to saddle a poor man with the costs of resisting such a Motion; but this, he repeated, might be remedied in Committee.
§ After a few words from Lord CRANWORTH in support of the Bill, and a brief remark from the LORD CHANCELLOR,
§ Bill read 2a.