Sitting of 25 May 1867

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS—First Reading—Habeas Corpus Suspension (Ireland) Act Continuance (No. 2) (114); Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No. 2) * (115).

HABEAS CORPUS SUSPENSION (IRELAND) ACT CONTINUANCE (No. 2.) BILL—(No. 114.)—(The Earl of Derby.)
Bill read 1a.
THE EARL OF DERBYsaid, he proposed to take the second reading on Monday.
LORD DENMANsaid, he desired to draw attention to the circumstances which unfortunately rendered the continuance of the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act necessary in Ireland, and to the statement that had appeared in the papers that no appeal for mercy in the case of the Fenian Burke would be effectual in procuring a commutation of his sentence.
THE EARL OF DERBYsaid, he thought it inexpedient that their Lordships should on that occasion consider the exercise of the prerogative of mercy by the Crown, because the matter then before them did not in the slightest degree touch the question whether the sentence of death which
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had been passed upon one of the prisoners should be carried out. The question before them was, whether they should continue to the people of Ireland the protection which they derived from the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act.
Bill to be read 2a on Monday next.
House adjourned at a quarter past Three o'clock, to Monday next, Eleven o'clock.