§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a"—(The Lord Stratheden.)
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, he could not consent to the second reading. Last year, when the Jury Bill was before Parliament, numerous claims for exemption were made and settled, and he objected to the arrangement being 602 disturbed. It was already extremely difficult to obtain a proper attendance of jurymen, and only yesterday a case of great importance (the Tichborne case) had to be postponed on that account. There was an increasing pressure on persons liable to serve owing to the numerous exemptions, which included all officers in the Army, Navy, Militia, and Yeomanry, while on full pay.
§ LORD STRATHEDEN, in reply, urged that the efficiency of Volunteer corps depended to a greater extent than in the Line on the adjutants, who might now be summoned as jurymen during field-days and inspections.
§ An Amendment moved, to leave out ("now") and insert ("this day six months"): On Question, that ("now") stand part of the Motion? Resolved in the Negative; and Bill to be read 2a this day six months.