THE BISHOP OF ROCHESTER,in rising to ask, What wore the intentions of Her Majesty's Government with respect to the "Criminal Law Amendment Bill, for the better protection of Women and Children," said, the subject was one of considerable importance, and was viewed with very great anxiety by all classes of Her Majesty's subjects. It would be in the recollection of their Lordships that a Bill dealing with the question was introduced in that House last Session. That Bill was founded upon the Report of a Special Committee, and many of their Lordships took a very great interest in it. He was sorry to say, however, that although the measure passed through all its stages in their Lordships' House it fell through owing to the pressure of Business in "another place." No doubt, the miscreants who got their living by plying this detestable trade were only too glad to be left alone. But he trusted that their Lordships would come to the conclusion that the matter should not be allowed to rest where it was at the present moment. He knew the deepest interest was taken in the Bill by the noble Lord who had charge of it last Session, and he hoped the Government would now be in a position to inform the House that they intended to bring in a judicious measure upon the subject without delay.
THE EARL OF DALHOUSIE,in reply, said, he was afraid he could not give an answer to the Question which the right rev. Prelate would be likely to think altogether satisfactory. The subject was discussed last year, and it was found to be one of considerable difficulty. All he could say was that in the present state of Public Business it was almost impossible for the Government to decide what course they would take with the Bill; but when Public Business was more advanced they would consider how they could best deal with the matter.