HL Deb 11 August 1875 vol 226 cc848-9

Commons Amendments to Lords Amendments considered (according to Order).

LORD DENMAN

objected to one of the Commons Amendments, which took away the right of being tried by indictment at the Quarter Sessions, as contained in the 5th clause of the Bill, and urged that an appeal to the Quarter Sessions would answer every purpose, but only for cases under £20.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

said, his noble Friend misapprehended the object of the Amendment. The Bill, as it went down to the Commons, provided that a person breaking a contract involving injury to property might be liable to a penalty of £20 or upwards, with or without imprisonment. The original words were "not exceeding £20," and they were altered to "amounting to £20," no very important alteration.

Commons Amendments agreed to.

LORD REDESDALE

said, the Bill would afford a remedy to the unfortunate Father O'Keeffe, whoso house was besieged by persons against whom hitherto he had no remedy. He hoped advantage would be taken of its provisions in Mr. O'Keeffe's case.