ORDER FOR THIRD READING DISCHARGED. (Hansard, 19 July 1870)

THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDE

said, that he proposed to move that the Order for the Third Reading be discharged; but in doing so he desired, nevertheless, to impress on their Lordships the importance of the object of 478 the measure—which was to bring non-traders under the operation of the Bankruptcy Law, a principle which worked well in England, and, as had recently been ruled, was applicable even to a Member of their Lordships' House. At a time when a feeling in favour of the repeal of the Union was growing in Ireland, it was very impolitic to neglect questions which were of great importance to business men, who never engaged in any agitation, for such neglect would be made use of as a proof that the British Parliament did not attend to the interests of Ireland. He hoped the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack would give him an assurance that this question would be taken up early next year by the Irish Law Officers.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

said, he was glad the noble Marquess proposed to withdraw the Bill. The new English Bankruptcy Law had not yet been sufficiently tested to show how far it was desirable to extend it to Ireland; and the present Bill, having for its object the extension of the old law to non-traders, would give increased scope to a provision which was found very fruitful in fraud in England—namely, that which enabled persons to become bankrupts on their own petition. Having had no opportunity of communicating with the Irish Law Officers, he could give no promise that the Government would bring in a comprehensive measure next Session; and Parliament having for two Sessions been a good deal occupied with Irish questions, he was not sure that the task could be then undertaken. He trusted, however, that if it were taken up it would be dealt with in a comprehensive manner, whether as regarded traders or non-traders.