THE LORD CHANCELLOR,in moving that the Bill be now read a first time, said, that in 1843 an Act was passed to furnish means of following fugitive offenders who had committed crimes against the law, either in the United Kingdom or in British possessions, to any place to which they might flee within British Dominions; but that Act was limited to treason and felony, and it also did not contain some provisions which experience had shown to be necessary for accomplishing the purposes it was intended to effect. This Bill was intended to provide more effectual means for arresting fugitive criminals, and returning them to the proper place of trial. It was not limited to treason and felony, and it contained a series of clauses applicable to the Colonies, which provided that criminals escaping from one British possession to another might be followed, and sent back to that from which they came. He would only add that the present measure was the result of careful consideration of the subject, both by the late and the present Government, after communication with the different Colonies; and he felt sure, when their Lordships saw its provisions, they would agree that it was a useful and necessary measure. The noble and learned Lord concluded by moving the first reading of the Bill.
§ Bill to amend the Law with respect to Fugitive Offenders in Her Majesty's Dominions; and for other purposes connected with the trial of offenders—Presented (The LORD CHANCELLOR); read la. (No. 91.)