§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT HALDANE)My Lords, last summer it was my duty to bring a Criminal Justice Administration Bill to your Lordships' attention, and the measure was passed with the approbation of both Houses of Parliament. It was an Act the main purpose of which was to enable prisoners to be dealt with with more elasticity, and various means were provided for giving a better chance to first offenders and to other classes of prisoners. There were other valuable provisions in the measure, which was one of considerable magnitude. It has now been found that, owing to the difficulties which the war has imposed on various classes of officials in discharging their duty, it is expedient that the coming into operation of the Act, particularly of certain parts of it, should be slightly postponed—postponed for less than a year—and this Bill proposes to do that. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a.
§ Committee negatived: Then (Standing Order No. XXXIX having been suspended) Bill read 3a, and passed.