§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD LOREBURN)My Lords, with your permission I desire to introduce a Bill to consolidate and simplify the law relating to perjury and kindred offences, which I shall ask the House to read a first time and which is an entirely uncontroversial measure. For some time past I, with the assistance of some eminent coadjutors, have been busy taking steps towards doing what ought long ago to have been done, namely, the codification of the Criminal Law of this country. The consolidation as well as the codification of the Criminal Law of this country has been repeatedly desired, and various Dependencies of the Crown have wished to have a complete codification of the English Criminal Law as a model which they could adapt to their own requirements. In some cases it has been found necessary to use the Indian Code, and to apply that, because we in this country have nothing of the kind. I am now taking steps towards codification. The first step contained in the Bill I am presenting to the House will deal with the law relating to perjury, which is the most difficult of all, involving some hundred Acts of Parliament, all of which have to be re-adapted and put in their right order. After the Second Beading of the Bill I will ask this House to invite the other House to concur in setting up a Joint Committee in order to examine the Bill and make sure it contains nothing except what is the law at the present time. If that work is successfully carried through I have other stages in view, and I hope in course of time I, or my successor with my hearty assistance, will be able to accomplish the codification of the Criminal Law, which has been so long desired.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 1a.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
496§ LORD ASHBOURNEMy Lords, I am sure every one of your Lordships would desire to express hearty sympathy with the proposal of the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack. I remember that a good many years ago when I was Attorney-General for Ireland many eminent men were asked to consider this matter and to report. Amongst those who sat on that Commission was Lord Justice Barry, representing Ireland, and their Report is accessible and I have no doubt familiar to the noble and learned Lord. I would be glad if the Lord Chancellor could indicate whether it is the intention now, as then, to consider the case of Ireland as well as that of England.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORThe Bill is restricted to England; but I believe that the law relating to perjury is almost the same in Ireland as it is in England, and, therefore, I hope that the Bill would be available for both countries.
§ LORD ASHBOURNEI understand that the Bill as it stands is restricted to England, but that the inclusion of Ireland is open for consideration?
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORYes.
§ LORD ASHBOURNEI can assure the noble and learned Lord that that is a matter which will be called attention to both in this and in the other House of Parliament.
§ On Question, Bill read 1a and to be printed. (No. 17.)