Sitting of 17 March 1836

MACCLESFIELD COURT FOR SMALL DEBTS.
Lord Stanley Lord Stanley moved the third reading of the Macclesfield Small Debts Bill.
Mr. Roebuckpresented a Petition from Macclesfield, signed by 5,000 persons, against the Bill. The Bill, he observed, by one of its clauses, went to continue the principle of imprisonment for Debt, though the House had more than once decided that that principle should be abandoned, and though it was most probable a measure to that effect would be carried through Parliament this Session. Considering the Bill objectionable, upon these and other grounds, he should move that it be read a third time that day six months.
Lord Stanleycomplained that this opposition should have been reserved for the third reading of the Bill, after it had been thoroughly examined and discussed in Committee, and after it had passed through the Committee, with the approbation of all persons locally interested in the measure. The clause principally objected to by the hon. Member gave the Commissioners the power of imprisoning for Debt for seven days only, and should the general measure for the abolition of imprisonment for debt be passed, there was no doubt that it would override this and similar local Acts in that respect.
The House divided on the original question: Ayes 93; Noes 42—Majority 51.
Five other divisions took place on questions to prevent the Bill from being passed, when, finally, on the question being put for the fifth time, that the Bill do pass, a Motion was made that the House do adjourn, which was carried by 166 Ayes to 20 Noes; and the House adjourned accordingly.

MINUTES.
Bills. Read a first time:—Transfer of Property; Executors and Administrators; Wills Amendment.
Petitions presented. By the Duke of WELLINGTON", from Andover, for Extending the Time Allowed for Repaying the Sums borrowed by Parishes under the Poor-Law Amendment Act; from Manchester and Salford, for the Repeal of the Additional Duty on Spirit Licences.—By Lord LYNDHURST, from Truro, in favour of Mr. BUCKINGHAM'S Claims—By the Earl of FALMOUTH, from Places in Cornwall, against a Clause in the Ecclesiastical Courts' Bill.—By the Marquess of BUTE, from Swansea and other Places, to the same effect.—By the Marquess of LANSDOWNE, from Limerick, in favour of Municipal Reform in Ireland; from Cork, for Reform in the Church of Ireland; from Southampton, for Relief to the Dissenters,