§ Amendments reported (according to order).
§ Clause 6 (Act not to apply to Ireland).
THE EARL OF MILLTOWN, in moving to omit Clause 6, said, this was a humane measure which ought to apply to Ireland no less than to England. It had been said that Ireland had been excluded because certain Representatives of that country opposed its inclusion. As far as he could ascertain, however, the leading Followers of the hon. Member for the City of Cork viewed the measure with approval. The only reason which was given for the opposition of certain Members to the proposal to extend the Bill to Ireland was that they objected to any legislation for Ireland by the Imperial Parliament. As one who was ardently attached to the Union, and who looked upon it as the hope and salvation of Ireland, he urged their Lordships to disregard this reason. He held that it could not be countenanced for a moment.
§ Moved, "To leave out Clause 6."—(The Earl of Milltown.)
292§ LORD FITZGERALDsaid, that as to the subject-matter of the Bill the position of the countries was identical, and he also saw no reason why the provisions of the Bill should not be applied to Ireland.
§ THE EARL OF SELBORNEsaid, that in regard to this Bill he represented an absent Peer who had charge of it. He could not appreciate the reasons which induced the House of Commons to exclude Ireland from the Bill; but he could not take the responsibility of any change, in the present stage, which might possibly endanger its success.
§ LORD HERSCHELLsaid, that there did not exist in Ireland the same confidence in those who administered the law which happily existed in England, and it was thought that the power of nominating a person to whom the offender was from time to time to report himself would lead to hardships. He could not help thinking that that was what had led to the desire that Ireland should be excluded from the Bill. He did not put forward that argument himself, nor did he think it was well-founded, and the Bill in its earlier form was quite different from that which was now before the House.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL(Viscount CRANBROOK)said, that at this late period of the Session the Amendments already introduced would endanger the Bill, and he saw no reason why the Amendment should not be added.
THE EARL OF MILLTOWNsaid, that if the Bill had retained its original form he should not have moved the Amendment.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Bill to be read 3a To-morrow; and to be printed as amended. (No. 197.)