§ (The Lord Chancellor.)
§ (No. 168.) COMMITTEE.
§ House in Committee (according to Order).
§ LORD ROMILLYdeprecated continuing the power of imprisonment for debt in the hands of County Courts as was proposed in the 1st clause. He believed the power of imprisonment for debt was very injurious. Credit was given for goods sold in the ordinary way only because the vendor believed the purchaser would be able to pay, and not because he thought he should be obliged to have resort to compulsory measures; and the fear of imprisonment benefited no one but the tallyman, who was thereby enabled to force his goods on the unwary poor, and relied almost exclusively on the compulsory power of imprisonment. he did not approve the distinction made in the Bill between debts for £30 and £50 with respect to imprisonment, a distinction which was wholly irrational. In some respects the abolition of imprisonment for debt seemed to be perfect, but in others it was not. He had given notice of some Amendments based upon these views, but, having placed them on record, he did not wish to press them.
§ Amendments made: The Report there of to be received To-morrow; and Bill to be printed as amended. (No. 224.)
§ House adjourned at a quarter past Nine o'clock, till To-morrow, Eleven o'clock.