The Express.
London, England, 1847-07-13 00:00:00

ha eraold not consent to the clauses which be had pointed
out, which would have the effect of martin g an excellent
bill. If, however, he stood alone, he should divide the com-
mitttee upon retaining the clauses. (Hear, hear.)
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that the clauses
would not have the effect supposed by the right hon. baronet,
which he would seow when they were discuued in committee.
Mr. STUART said that the importance of the measure
was so great ea to render it impossible to give it that degree
of attention at the present penod of the session which it de-
served and indeed demanded. He had heard the right hon.
baronet's speech with pleasure. He implored the govern-
ment not to go on with so serious a bill when they were
within ten days of the close of the maiden. He was opposed
to the abolition of the Court of Review which was calculated
to be very useful. He approved of the establishment of local
courts, which, he thought, would prove highly beneficial,
but, as yet, they had little experience of their working, and,
therefore, he thought to transfer the tensing power as re-
garded those courts, from the Court of Review to the Vice-
Cbancellor'e, and thence to shuffle it from one jurisdiction
to another, was extremely hasty and ill-considered legisla-
tion. To ake those courts efficient, their jurisdiction should
be permanent, and it they gave them a jurisdiction one year
and took it away the next, they might depend upon it, their
utility would be very much (metalled. They proposed to
!rive the local courts jurisdiction in cases of bankruptcy and
mrolvency—why not extend it to charity cases also ? (Hear,
hear.) Why this piecemeal legislation ? Why give
them a bit of jurisdiction this year, and a bit
the next ? Why not propose a comprehensive system
at once ? But, in his opinion, they had as yet too lit-
tle experience of the working of those courts to jestify them
in increasing their jurisdiction. They were called cheap, but
at yet no man could fix their expense. Cheap law was a
good thing, provided it was worth the little given for it ; but
experience was yet to decide whether these courts really pos-
sessed theiccommendation of cheapness. He again implored

the house and the government to Proceed witli'delibeeation,
and not to force this measure forward at such a period of the
session.
The house then went into committee on the bill. On
clause 1,
Sir J. GRAHAM stated his intention to propose the omis-
sion of the first as well as the second add third clauses. He
thought the selection of judges under the bill. on the whole,
judicious ; but he thought that the scale of fees should be at
once settled. Until some experience was hai of the work-
ing of these courts, be war opposed to abolishing the jurisdic
tion of the Court of Review.
Sir G. GREY defended the legislation of the bill, as
regarded the Court of Review. That court had been esta-
blished with a great flourish of trumpets, es the hon. sad
learned member for Newark had *aid, but it had actually
expired from want of business. It had originally contained
four judges, but as they bad dropped off, it had not been
found necessary to supply their plues. The three clauses,
if objected to, would make no difference in the existing prat•
tics; and it was of little importance whether the clauses
passed or not.
Mr. J. S. WORTLEY thought the right hon. gentleman
had not given any reasons is f.,vour of Vie bill. He consi-
dered it would be desirable to have a separate judge in mat-
ters of bankruptcy and insolvency. He, however, thought it
was wasting the time of the house to proceed with this bill
when the whole subject must be considered in the next ses•
pion of parliament, at which time the question of the appel-
late jurisdiction would also be taken into consideration.
After a few words from Mr. IiEVLEY

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the oSject of the bill
was chiell7 to legalise a state of things which had hitherto
existed without the sanction of law.

Sir J. GRAHAM thought it was desirable to continue the
Court of Review. If the state of the business no longer re-
quired the aid of three vice-chancellors, he would ratter re-
commend the doing away with one of the vice-chancellors
than the Court of Review.
Sir G. GREY—If a judge were to be appointed solely for
the Court of Review, he would pass one-half his time in
idleness, whereas, by the present bill, he would be able to
divide it between his duties as vice-chancellor and the Court
of Review. _ .

After a few remarks in explanation from the ArroasET-
GENERAL.

Mr. DISRAELI opposed the three first clauses of the
bill. He did not see, after the Health of Towns Bill had
been given up, why the house should waste its time on the
discussion of the clauses of a bill which it was admitted were
of little importance.
Mr. ROMILLY thought the bill would tend to remove
the evil of the subdivision of courts. He gave his support
is the bill, which only went to sanction that which practi-
cally existed at present.
Mr. HUME joined with those who thought it better to
postpone this measure until next year, when, according to
the report of the select committee of the House of Lords,
the whole question of these laws must be brought under the
consideration of the legislature.
After a few words from Mr. A. MacaurnY,
The committee divided.—For the clause
_

Against it
On clause 2 being proposed,
Lord J. MANNERS urged upon the government the
propriety of withdrawing the bill fur the present session, end
thereby giving the probability of successful legislation on
MP important question in the new parliament.
Sir O. GREY mud he could only repeat that from cum-
munications he had received Irons persons most conversant
with the subject it wis most desirable that the bill with
these three first clauses, should be passed into a law.
Mr. HUME thought the government, on their own show-
ing, ought to be content to take those clauses of the bill
which it was admitted would be beneficial, and to omit the
three first clauses.

Mr. J. S. WORTLEY concurred in the suggestion of the
hon. member for Montrose.. . .

Sir G. GREY reminded the committee that by the divir.ion
which had just taken place, the first clause had been af-
firmed, and he could not undertake, by abandoning the
next two clauses, to upset the decision to which the committee
hod come.

Mr. DISRAELI thought the difficulty suggested by the
right hon. baronet (Sir G. Grey) might be obviated by di-
viding the bill into two parts.
Mr WAKLEY said that after the close division which
bad just taken place, a division in which the majority of 44
comprised not lees than 20 members of the government, he
must entreat the government not to proceed further with the
bill this session. The bill had been brought in too late to be
deliberately discussed and, with respect to it, there were
out of doors some very unpleasant rumours in circulation. It
was denounced as a job, and not intended for the benetit of
the public at large.
Sir J. 110BHOUSE—By whom ?
Mr. WAKLEY said he had not facts to supply to the
right hon. baronet, he merely stated the rumour which had
reached him. lie thought, for their own credit and reputa-
tion, the government ought not to press forward this bill at
a time when it could not be considered with that care and
attention which its importance demanded.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it was
hardly fair in the hon. member for Finsbury to designate
this bill u a job, when he admitted he had not a single fact
to adduce in support of that assertion.
After a short discussion,
The committee divided—For the clause 47
Against it
The clause was then agreed to.
Clauses 3 to 12 were agreed to.
On clause 13 being proposed,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL proposed an alteration
giving power to the Secretary of State, with the consent of
the Lords of the Treasury, to regulate the fees to be received.
The clause as amended was 'greed to, as were the remain-
ing clauses.
In answer to Mr. WANLET,
'I he ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that the report on
the bill would be brought up on Wednesday.
Mr. WAKLEY expected that great opposition would be
manifested against the bill by the country. Ole therefore
hoped that the government would out off the third reading
as long as possible.
Mr. BROWN moved the insertion of a clause to the fol-
lowing effect
Power to judges of county courts to Issue warrant to arrest a debtor
in certain cases, such debtor being within the limits of the jurisdic-
tion of the court, and to detain him in custody fora limited time, or
until as order obtained to hold him to bail, when the medody to be
transferred to the isberiff or officer holding a capias issued thereon.
l'ho ohm., after • few words from Mr. GAEENE, was
withdrawn.
The house then resumed, and the report was ordered to be
brought up on Wednesday next.
TRUST MONIES INVESTMENT BILL.
After a few observations from Mr. Sruarer in opposition,
on the ground that the provisions were too extensive in their
application, this hill, on the motion of Lord COMITENLY.
passed through committee.
The house adjourned at a quarter past 12.

PARLIAMENTARY PAPER.
GRAIN Srprurs.—A return has been presented to the
House of Commons of the quantities of grain and meal
imported and exported during the half-year coding sth June,
in each of the years 1843 to 1847 inclusive. The return
shows the surplus of imported grain and meal left for home
consumption in each half-year: