The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-12 00:00:00

SMALL DEBTS BILL.

Sir G. GREY moved the order of the day for the second
reading of this Bill.
Mr. WA KLEY hoped the further consideration of the Bill
would be postponed for a few days.
Sir G. GREY begged to inform the House that the prin-
ciple of the Bill was not new, but was founded on the report
of the Law Commissioners. It had been brought in by the
late Government, and had been favourably considered by the
House of Lords. There was an intention of postponing it till
another session, but from the urgent request of the tradesmen
of Birmingham and other large towns the present Government
had decided to go on with it. He asked the House to allow the
second reading, and allow the Bill to be committed pro forma
to-morrow, when the money clauses could be added, and the
whole details of the measure fully considered.
Mr. WILLIAMS thought the measure one that was much
required, and he was glad there was a prospect of its being
carried into effect. He thought a great benefit would be con-
ferred by taking away the jurisdiction at present exercised by
the quarter sessions in relation to debts.
Mr. GREENE hoped the House would at present confine
itself entirely to the merits of the Bill, which he thought was
much required.
Sir WILLIAM CLAY thought the Bill was much required,
and its provisions had given general satisfaction, and had his
entire support.
Sir G. GREY explained that a reduction in the table of
fees had been made to that which had been drawn up origi-
nally for the Bill.

Lord G. SOMERSET defended the proceedings of the
quarter sessions from the charge of the Hon. Member for
Coventry.
Mr. HENLEY supported the second reading of the Bill,
though he complained of the late period at which the Bill had
been introduced into the Howe.

Mr. SPOONER considered it was a.Bill of very great im-
portance, and he hoped no further delay would take place in
carrying it into a law.
Sir G. GREY had no objection, with the consent of the
House, so as that no time should be lost, to move that the Mil
be committed pro forma this day, so that the clauses to be
added miaht be printed at once.
Mr. WAKLEY said that, after the speech of the Hon.
Member for Birmingham on a previous occasion, when a
similar Bill was passed, and his speech on this occasion, he
was much alarmed as to what were the real provisions
of this Bill. Indeed, he should carefully scrutinise every
clause and every word of it.—(Laughter.) In his (Mr.
Wskley's) opinion, one of the greatest mischiefs
which could happen to the working men of this country was
the facility with which they could contract debts. If Le
found there was nothing objectionable in this Bill (and he
sincerely hoped that would he the case), he should give it
his support.
After a few words from Mr. B. ESCOTT in support of the
Bill,

Mr. MUNTZ said this measure was absolutely necessary to
the interests of the traders of this country. He knew it to be
a fact that many of that class of people could not recover debts
exceeding 20/.

The 13711 was then read a second time, and committed pro
forma, with the view of adding some more clauses, The Bill
was then reported, and ordered to be re-committed on Monday
next.