Sitting of 16 February 1870

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS—Ordered—First Reading—Women's Disabilities [31]; Juries [32].
Second Reading—Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister [11]; Provisional Orders Bills (Committees) * [19].

MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER BILL.
(Mr. Thomas Chambers, Mr. Morley.)
MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER BILL.

  [BILL 11.] SECOND READING.
  Order for Second Reading read.
  MR. THOMAS CHAMBERSsaid, as he had explained the provisions of this measure so fully when he introduced it to the House last Session, he should not now be justified in going over the arguments by which this Bill had been for twenty years supported in this House. The House had over and over again expressed its approval of the measure; and inasmuch as the Bill was perfectly simple and single in its provisions, he had nothing to do, especially as the opponents of the measure had courteously informed him that they would not oppose this stage, but to move that the Bill be now read a second time.
  Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Thomas Chambers.)
  MR. M'LARENsaid, that when the Bill went into Committee he would move that the words applying the now law to Scotland should be omitted.
  Motion agreed to.
  Bill read a second time, and committed for To-morrow.

WOMEN'S DISABILITIES BILL.

  LEAVE. FIRST READING.
  MR. JACOB BRIGHT, in moving for leave to bring in a Bill to remove the Electoral Disabilities of Women, said, that the effect of the measure would be to enable women householders who were possessed of the qualification established by Parliament to vote for Members of Parliament. This was in no sense a party question, and as the Bill had the support of many hon. Members, amongst whom were some of the most eminent Members of the House, he presumed that its introduction would not be opposed. He would therefore simply move for leave to introduce the Bill, and reserve what he had to say in its defence for a future stage of the measure.
  Motion agreed to.
  Bill to remove the Electoral Disabilities of Women, ordered to be brought in by Mr. JACOB BRIGHT, Sir CHARLES DILKE, and Mr. EASTWICK.
  Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 31.]

JURIES BILL.

  LEAVE. FIRST READING.
  VISCOUNT ENFIELD, in moving for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Laws relating to the qualifications, summoning, attendance, and remuneration of Special and Common Juries, said, the Bill was identical with the one introduced last year, and passed to a second reading on the understanding that it would not be further proceeded with at the time. Its provisions were the result of the labours of a Select Committee which sat two years, and examined a great number of witnesses.
  Motion agreed to.
  Bill to amend the Laws relating to the qualifications, summoning, attendance, mid remuneration of Special and Common Juries, ordered to be brought in by Viscount ENFIELD, Mr. DENMAN, and Mr. HEADLAM.
  Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 32.]
  House adjourned at half after Twelve o'clock.