§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD FITZGERALD, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, that its object was to enable a Judge, if he should think fit, in the graver cases of felony lasting several days, to allow the jurors to separate and to go home.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Lord Fitz Gerald.)
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HERSCHELL)said, he was unable to assent to the proposal contained in the Bill. Under the present rule, there 26 were very few cases in which jurors were locked up all night; and he thought it was undesirable that, in cases involving life and death, jurors should be allowed to separate and very likely be subjected to influences. It was said that this was merely a permissive measure; but it was undesirable to throw too great responsibility upon a Judge in such a matter.
§ LORD HALSBURYsaid, he entirely concurred with what had fallen from the noble and learned Lord (the Lord Chancellor), and hoped that their Lordships would not agree to the second reading of that Bill.
§ On Question? Resolved in the negative.