Lords Sitting of 27 March 1893

Preamble
Several Lords—Took the Oath.

CIRCULATING PRINTS OF EVIDENCE.
THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWNsaid, that he had not received a copy of evidence taken before the Evicted Tenants Commission, and he had been informed that it was not usual, or in accordance with the practice of the House, to circulate copies of evidence as well as of Reports to Peers. In this case it happened that the evidence was very material, and he proposed, if he were in order in doing so, to move that it be circulated.
THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (The Earl of KIMBERLEY): My Lords, I quite agree with the noble Lord that every facility possible ought to be, given for seeing this evidence. I have no doubt he is aware that by the Order of the House as it now stands the Report of a Commission is circulated, and a copy of the evidence is delivered to any Peer who may asked for it. I have asked the Clerk at the Table what the condition of the printing is, and he informs me that there are 200 copies available at the present time. I should be inclined to think those 200 copies would be quite as many as are likely to be applied for, even in a matter of this kind. I hope my noble Friend will be satisfied with that, otherwise I imagine if the type is not broken up we should have to direct that a large number more should be printed, but as there are 200 copies, I cannot believe that a larger number will be required, or that 500 Peers would desire to avail themselves of the opportunity of this evidence.
THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWNsaid, he he did not wish to ask for anything unreasonable, but, at the same time, many noble Lords might wish to see the evidence, and yet might not have the opportunity of applying for copies.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY: Anyone can apply.
THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWNsaid, they might not be at present resident in London. A considerable time had elapsed since the Report was laid on the Table, and when he made inquiries about it in the House he was informed that the Report and evidence would be circulated subsequently. A day or two ago he was reminded that a rule of the House undoubtedly existed that it was not customary to lay the evidence on the Table. He only desired to call attention to the fact that there were not sufficient copies for each Peer.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY: The rule is that any Peer who is desirous of having the evidence which has been taken before a Commission can, upon applying, obtain it, and I have ascertained that there will be a sufficient number, as I hope, of copies for all who apply for them.

EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES BILL [H.L.]—(No. 18.)

  THIRD READING.
  Order of the Day for the Third Reading read.
  Bill read 3a.
  THE LORD CHANCELLOR: My Lords, I have to propose some Amendments, of which notice has been given; they are purely verbal Amendments, and are really as to matters of detail. They are for this purpose: both in England and Scotland husbands and wives of persons charged are now compellable to give evidence. Under the present Bill they can only give evidence with the consent of the person charged. The intention is to keep it in accordance with the previous law.
  Moved, in Clause 1, page 1, line 11, after ("not") to insert ("save as in this Act mentioned"); line 13, leave out from ("charged") to the end of line 16; at end of Clause I, insert the following clause:—
  (1.) "The wife or husband of a person charged with an offence under any enactment mentioned in the First Schedule to this Act may be called as a witness without the consent of the person charged; (2.) Nothing in this Act shall effect a case where the wife or husband of a person charged with an offence may at common law be called as a witness without the consent of the person charged."

  FIRST SCHEDULE.

  ENACTMENTS REFERRED TO.

  Session and Chapter.

  Short Title.

  Enactments referred to.

  5 Geo. 4. c. 83.

  The Vagrancy Act, 1824.

  The enactment punishing a man for neglecting to maintain or deserting his wife.

  8 & 9 Vict. c. 83.

  Poor Law (Scotland) Act, 1845

  Section eighty.

  24 & 25 Vict. c. 100.

  The Offences against the Person Act, 1861.

  Sections forty-eight to fifty-five.

  48 & 49 Vict. c. 69.

  The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1885.

  The whole act.

  Second Schedule, page 4, line 9, insert:

  52 & 53 Vict. c. 44.

  The Prevention of Cruelty to, and Protection of, Children Act, 1889.

  Section seven, down to "compellable and."

  Amendments agreed to.
  Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.

  METROPOLITAN COMMONS PROVISIONAL ORDER (BANSTEAD) BILL.
  Brought from the Commons; read la; to be printed; and referred to the Examiners. (No. 51.)
TRUSTEE CONSOLIDATION BILL [H.L.] (No. 10.)

  ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES (CONSOLIDATION) BILL [H.L.]—(No. 11.)
  Message from the Commons that they concur in the Resolution of this House communicated to them on Friday last proposing that the said Bills be referred to the Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament on Statute Law Revision Bills as desired by this House.
  Bills referred to the Joint Committee on Statute Law Revision Bills of the present Session.

  APPEALS (FORMÂ PAUPERIS) BILL [H.L.]—(No. 44.)
  House in Committee (according to order): Bill reported without amendment; Standing Committee negatived; and Bill to be read 3a To-morrow.
  POST OFFICE (ACQUISITION OF SITES) BtLL.—(No. 36.)
  House in Committee (according to Order): Bill reported without Amendment; and re-committed to the Standing Committee.

  BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.
  THE EARL OE KIMBERLEY: My Lords, I beg leave to move that the House adjourn for Public Business to Two o'clock to-morrow. There will be a Commission, and one or two Bills that are now going through the other House will be taken. There will be no other business.
  Moved, "That the House adjourn for Public Business to Two o'clock Tomorrow."—(The Earl of Kimberley.)
  Motion agreed to.
  House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before Five o'clock, till To-morrow. a quarter past Ten o'clock.