The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-19 00:00:00

PROBATE BILL.

Mr. G. DUNCAN presented a petition from the ma-
gistrates and Town Council of the royal burgh of Dun-
dee in favour of the Probate Bill now now before the
house, and praying that its enactments may be extended
to Scotland.
LAW OF PARTNERSHIP, &c.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE asked the President of the
Board of Trade, whether a commission had been issued
to inquire into the Law of Partnership ; and, if so,
whether it was probable that any measure would be in-
troduced during the present session founded upon the
report of that commission ; also, whether it was the in-
tention of her Majesty's Government to take any steps
towards enforcing the imperial measure, for the purpose
of protecting the public against the frauds notoriously
practised by the sale of beer in bottles containing con-
siderably less than the legal measure.
Mr. CARDWELL said, in answer to the first ques-
tion, that he had been in communication with the Lord
Chancellor on the subject, and a commission was about
to be appointed, the names of whom would, he hoped,
be announced in a few days. He trusted they would
give satisfaction, and that the proposed inquiry was one
which was likely to settle this difficult question.
(Hear, hear.) He did not think it was reasonable
to expect that the Government could make the
report of this commission the foundation of a mea-
sure to be introduced in the present session. With
regard to the second question, it was a matter not within
his executive authority, and he was not aware that the
C-roveininent intended to take any measures in reference
to it. (A laugh.)
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said, he understood the matter
rested either with the Treasury or the Home-office.
Could the Secretary of the Treasury say whether he had

any remedy to suggest for this great evil, and if not,
could the Secretary of State for the Home Depart-
ment give any information on the subject? (A laugh.)
Mr. WILSON [believed his hon. friend would
have to go round the house before he could get
the information he required. (Hear, and a laugh.)
Since the duty on glass was repealed, the Government
took no cognizance of the manufacture of bottles. He
believed, however, that every person had a remedy for
the evil very much in his own hands, for if he purchased
a quart bottle of beer which contained less than a quart,
he could seek redress before a magistrate.
NORWICH ELECTION.

Mr. T. DUNCOMBE postponed his motion with re-
spect to the withdrawal of the Norwich election petition
until the 16th of May.
MINISTERS' MONEY IN IRELAND.
In reply to Mr. MAGUIRE,
Lord J. RUSSELL said the Government could not
at present give notice of the introduction of a bill for
the abolition of ministers' money in Ireland, but they
would do so at the earliest opportunity.

INDIAN TERRITORIES.
Mr. BRIGHT wished to know whether the house
could be furnished, week by week, with the evidence
taken before the committee on Indian territories, as it
would be very inconsistent to have to go through a
book of enormous thickness only a week before the bill
of the Government was brought in ? (Hear.)
Sir C. WOOD said he was not quite competent to
answer the question, not being the chairman of the com-
mittee. It was proposed, however, when the military
and judicial branches of the inquiry were brought to a
close, which would probably be in a few days, to (print
thatSportion of the evidence.

Mr. DISRAELI wi;i;d to know on what day the
Government proposed to lay before the house their plan
for the administration of the affairs of India ?
Lord J..RUSSELL was understood to say that they
hoped to do so on this day week.