§ The EARL of SHAFTESBURYmoved that this Bill should be committed pro formâ, in order that important amendments should be introduced into it. He would make a statement with respect to its objects and provisions on a future day.
The EARL of WICKLOWcomplained that a Bill which was fraught with great inconvenience and danger to the public, seemed to be going through all its stages without discussion. When the Bill was read a second time, the noble Earl promised to make a statement with respect to it on going into Committee, but he had not done so. This Bill, which was intended to extend to Ireland, was totally unfit for that country.
§ The EARL of SHAFTESBURYremarked that it would not extend to Ireland.
The EARL of WICKLOWsaid, if that were the case, what was the meaning of the last clause, which excepted Scotland only from the operation of the Bill? He also objected to it because it contained a principle which was quite a novel one in our law—that any stipendiary magistrate should in the execution of the duties of a magistrate be considered equal to two ordinary justices of the peace. He warned the House of the danger of adopting a provision which would tend to lower the dignity of the magisterial office.
LORD CAMPBELLremarked that the Bill would not be in the least degree advanced by its pro formâ committal; it would then be reprinted, with amendment, and afterwards recommitted.
§ The EARL of SHAFTESBURYsaid, that he was so anxious to have a discussion on this Bill, that he had given a long notice of his intention to move its second reading on the 28th instant. It then, however, unfortunately happened that the Ministers and a large part of the House were unavoidably absent; and as it was, it was necessary to proceed with as little delay as possible at this period of the Session. He asked their Lordships, then, to read it a second time, and to allow it to be committed pro formâ that day, in order that it might receive important amendments. Everything had been done in the most straightforward and explicit manner, nor did he think that any noble Lord, except the noble Earl, would charge him with attempting to smuggle the Bill through the House. The noble Lord thought it wrong that one stipendiary magistrate should be accounted equal to two justices; but he (the Earl of Shaftesbury) must be allowed to say there were some justices of whom he thought that not even nine would be equal to one stipendiary magistrate.
§ House in Committee; Bill reported, without amendment; Amendments made on Report; and Bill recommitted to a Committee of the whole House on Tuesday next.