§ EARL GRANVILLEasked the noble Earl at the head of the Government, Whether he had any announcement to make, as promised, with reference to the Business of their Lordships' House?
§ THE EARL OF BEACONSFIELD,in reply, said, that next week—probably that day week—his noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor would invite the attention of their Lordships to the consideration of a subject of much importance—namely, the jurisdiction of the Crown over the territorial waters of the Empire, especially in relation to the recent case of the Franconia, and would lay a Bill on the Table. Very shortly, also, a Bill would be introduced to fulfil a promise made last year with regard to the protection of the Telegraph Service and 911 property of the Post Office. Before Easter a Bill would be introduced to consolidate clauses relating to railway, gas, and water companies, and other works of that description. Such a Bill, in the opinion of the Government, could be advantageously originated in their Lordships' House; because they would have in its discussion the assistance and experience of his noble Friend the Chairman of Committees. There were two other Bills connected with legal matters, which it might, perhaps, have been expected the Government would introduce in their Lordships' House; but, on consideration, it was thought more convenient to bring them forward first in the other House. One was a Bankruptcy Bill, which had been already before their Lordships' House, and had had their opinion expressed upon it, and the other was an important Bill to codify the laws relating to indictable offences. These two Bills would be introduced by his hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General. He hoped, also, that next week his noble Friend the Lord President of the Council would be able to bring in a Bill on the subject of cattle diseases.