§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD DAVEYMy Lords, this Bill is identically word for word in the same 133 form in which it left your Lordships' House last year. As your Lordships were good enough to pass it through its stages last year, I hope you will extend the same favour to it this year. Unfortunately, the state of business in the other House did not permit of its becoming law last session. The object of the Bill is to strengthen the penalties, and in certain events to enable the magistrates to send to prison without the option of a fine persons who are found frequenting public places for the purpose of betting. Your Lordships will remember that evidence was given before the Select Committee of the extent to which betting is carried on with children as well as adults. The evil which this Bill is intended to mitigate has not decreased during the last year, but, if I may judge from the newspapers, has rather increased. I beg to move the Second Heading of the Bill.
§ Moved, that the Bill be now read 2*a—(Lord Davey.)
§ THE EARL OF HALSBURYMy Lords, I certainly did object to the form in which the noble and learned Lord opposite moved this Bill last year. He was good enough, however to meet my objections, and I offered no opposition to the Third Heading of the Bill after ho had amended it in the way I suggested. I propose offering no objection now.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a (according to order), and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday next.